Hindsgavl Peninsula
More than 100 years ago, Middelfart Municipality purchased the lands of the Hindsgavl Peninsula. Today, it is a unique recreational nature area open to everyone. With the municipality’s acquisition, traditional forestry and farming were gradually transformed to preserve and strengthen nature and cultural history, ensuring that both can be enjoyed in the future.
Today, Hindsgavl has developed into a sustainable nature park and deer park with space for all and respect for nature—a scenic peninsula surrounded by the rolling waters of the Little Belt, cliffs, beaches, forests, and red deer roaming the savannah. The peninsula hides ruins, (robber) stories, treasures, and memories. Danish history has left its mark here dating back to the 1600s. For a truly special experience on your cycling tour, stop at the Old Little Belt Bridge and try Bridgewalking.
Hindsgavl Castle
The castle’s dramatic history dates back to the 12th century, and during much of World War II, the estate was occupied by the German forces.
In 1830, Hans Christian Andersen visited Hindsgavl and was reportedly so enchanted by the place that he recommended it to his friend with these words:
“… it is just behind Middelfart and at a point in the garden there, you have the most beautiful view in Funen, I almost believe in Denmark.”
Today, Hindsgavl Castle is owned by Realdania Byg A/S and operates as a hotel.
Hindsgavl includes a terraced landscape park of about 25 acres. Originally laid out as a baroque garden with terraces, ponds, and avenues around 1750, it was redesigned in 1814 in the Romantic style with viewpoints, pavilions, streams, and pools with bridges. In addition, Hindsgavl’s grounds border the Hindsgavl Deer Park, inaugurated in 2009. There is free access to the old castle park and the areas around Gals Klint (Gavls Klint).
The Hindsgavl Dagger
The castle’s name is linked to the Hindsgavl Dagger, a find from the Late Stone Age. The dagger is a danefæ (national treasure). Made of flint, it was discovered on the island of Fænø in the Little Belt in 1867. Today, it is exhibited at the National Museum in Copenhagen in the Ancient Denmark collection and even adorns the Danish 100-kroner banknote.
The Hindsgavl Dagger is one of the finest examples of flint craftsmanship from that era—only 1 cm thick and 29.5 cm long.
When the dagger was found on Fænø, the island belonged to Hindsgavl Castle (today it is privately owned). By chance, the estate inspector was nearby when a little boy walking with his mother discovered the dagger. The boy only noticed that he had found a beautiful stone. For one daler, the inspector bought it from the boy and passed it on to the Hindsgavl estate.
