Woot! Happy autumn! While waiting for beautiful colors to start spreading across Norway, let me write about this nice little town in Denmark called Birkerød. Here lies Trudeslund, the co-housing village (bofælleskab) where I lived with a Danish family for 11 months. BUT I’d write about Trudeslund in a different entry, as I have limited time today. 😉 For now, it’s Birkerød in the house!
WARNING: Ask a Dane on how to pronounce Birkerød – dont trust your instinct this time! 😀
The town, located on the island of Zealand, used to be a municipality by itself, but reforms in 2007 made it a part of Rudersdal Kommune along with 9 other towns. The kommune consists of forests, open fields, lakes, and small residential areas.
According to the kommune’s website, the name of the town first appeared in 1307 in a book called Esrumbogen as “Birkeryth”. It means that the town was founded as early as the Viking Ages or in the Middle Ages, and that its name came from the birch fields or clearing. The King’s Path/Way (Kongevejen) also passes through the town and the road is still in use up to this day.
So, how does one get to Birkerød? From the Central Station, one can take the S-train going to Hillerød. In 1868, the railroad station was constructed. I often thought it was nice that trains stop by the town. However, expect frequent renovations on the tracks in winter and autumn. There will be train buses, but it takes longer than usual.
Since Birkerød has been growing and developing fast, shops and other commercial establishments have started operating in the town. Shop ’til you drop in Birkerød Midtpunkt with big stores like Føtex, Netto, and Rema 1000. There are also fancy restaurants, bakery, bookstores, and dental clinic. You can find almost anything there, but I think the prices are quite higher than that in Copenhagen.
And oh! A town is not complete without a library….
… and a church! The Birkerød parish church was built in the 1100s, and houses interesting frescoes from the 1300s. Unfortunately, I never managed to enter the church. It was always closed whenever I passed by it. I did see the typical graveyard surrounding it though, and the Præstegård across it.
There aren’t too many attractions for tourists, but the nature is interesting!
DISCLAIMER: There might be some little bumps and humps scattered all over Denmark, but yes, it is flat. And flat.
There you have it – a lovely little town, a break from the huffs and puffs of the city. 😉 For more information (in Danish), sites and all, visit: http://www.rudersdal.dk/Rudersdal_rundt/Turist_ny/Byer_og_bymiljoe/De_10_byomraader/Birkeroed.aspx
Ha det! 😉 ❤
PinayOdyssey 