Love and Tragedy on Tåsinge

Elvira & Sixten - Christian IV & Kirsten & Vibeke

Two famous love stories told on location

On this guided tour, we dive into two of Denmark’s most famous—and infamous—romantic dramas. The stories unfold against the backdrop of the landscapes and at the very sites where the events took place, lending them a unique sense of intimacy.

The story of Elvira Madigan and Sixten Sparre in light of new insights and interpretations.

Drama and intrigue in a royal relationship.

Kirsten Munk and Vibeke Kruse – two of King Christian IV’s women.

A trip past Valdemar’s Castle—built for the king and Kirsten Munk’s only son.

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Landet Church, Tåsinge
Memorial Plaques for Hedvig (Elvira) and Sixten
Elvira and Sixten
Sixten Sparre and Elvira Madigan

Murder or romance in 1889?

In 2018, Sixten Sparre’s great-granddaughter, Katinka Linde, challenged the traditional interpretation of what happened on Tåsinge in 1889 between her great-grandfather and the talented circus princess, Elvira Madigan, whose real name was Hedvig Jensen. The guide recounts the dark version based on the book "Sörgelige saker hända."

Nørreskoven and Landet Cemetery

The tour goes through Troense, where they stayed at a guesthouse, and via Valdemar’s Castle to Nørreskoven where they were found dead in July 1889. The tour concludes at the memorial site at Landet Cemetery, where they were buried.

The museum tells both versions of the tragedy

The guided tour ends at Tåsinge Museum, where guests have the opportunity to go inside and see how the museum offers a choice, as visitors can opt for either the dark interpretation or the pink one.

Ambrosius's own, Tåsinge
Valdemar's Castle

Kirsten Munk and King Christian IV

Tåsinge is known for the story of Sixten and Elvira. Fewer people know that a small chapter in the turbulent—and, for Kirsten Munk, exhausting—relationship between the king and Kirsten actually took place on Tåsinge in May 1629 at Kærstrup Castle.

Unrequited love and mother-in-law cunning

Ellen Marsvin was King Christian IV’s mother-in-law. She knew that the king had his eye on a woman named Vibeke Kruse. Hear the story of a true example of a mother-in-law’s cunning.

The tour goes from Svendborg to Troense, Valdemar’s Castle, and Landet Church, then back via Bregninge Church.

Via Troense to the "new" town

The guide is a local from Tåsinge and knows all the little shortcuts. The tour goes through Svendborg’s beachfront neighborhood to the Svendborg Sound Bridge, via Troense, to the “new” town, which was founded by Niels Juel, the lord of Valdemar’s Castle, starting in 1750, and later developed into a maritime community. Through Grønnegade, where you get a glimpse of Niels Juel’s successful project, which caused Tåsinge to abound with fruit trees in the years that followed.

Ambrosius Egen and Bregninge Church

On to Valdemar's Castle and through Nørreskoven, past Ambrosius Egen, and on to Bregninge Church, where you can climb the nearly 100 steps up to the church tower. Here, a panoramic view of the South Funen Archipelago—one of the rarest of its kind—will unfold before you.
Strandgade, Troense
View from Bregninge Church

That's what our guests say

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Emma Gad

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Michael Laudrup

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Poul Nyrup

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

B.S. Christiansen

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Karen Blixen

I’ve lived in Svendborg for more than 30 years, and even though I thought I knew the town, this tour has taught me that places in town I’ve visited many times hold surprisingly fascinating stories. It was my first—but certainly not my last—time joining one of your city walks.

Anton Berg

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Practical information

Meeting point: The tour starts and ends at Frederiksø 1, 5700 Svendborg
Please note: Bikes are not included in the tour price.
You can bring your own bike or rent one from Sydfyns Cykeludlejning
  • The trip is a bike ride at a moderate pace
  • Duration: approx. 2.5 hours
  • Dressing for the weather
  • This tour is not intended for guests who are interested solely in the traditional,
    romantic version of the story of Sixten and Elvira
Tourguidefyn.dk

5700 Svendborg
CVR-44898640
Links
Contact Persons
Allan Mariager
Tel. 6120 8110
allan@tourguidefyn.dk

Karen Elberg
Tel. 6160 1103
karen@tourguidefyn.dk