Sorø Lake is the largest and most upstream of three lakes that almost surround the town of

Sorø Sorø () is a town in Sorø municipality on the island of Zealand (Denmark), Zealand in east Denmark with a population of 8,433 (2025).

Sorø Municipality Sorø () is a town in Sorø municipality on the island of Zealand in east Denmark with a population of 8,433 (2025).Zealand Zealand ( ) is the largest and most populous islands of Denmark, island in Denmark proper (thus excluding Greenland and Disko Island, which are larger in size) at 7,031 km2 (2715 sq. mi.). Zealand had a population of 2,319,705 on 1 Januar ...

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

. Together with the two other lakes, Pedersborg Lake and Tuel Lake, it is collectively known as the Sorø Lakes. They drain into the

Suså River The Suså or Susåen is a river in Denmark. It is the largest drainage system on the island of Zealand and the fifth largest in Denmark as a whole. Geography The source of the Suså is in Tingerup Tykke, a woodland south of Rønnede. Its fi ...

. Sorø Lake is owned by

Sorø Academy Sorø Academy ( Danish: ''Sorø Akademi'') is a boarding school and gymnasium located in the small town of Sorø, Denmark. It traces its history back to the 12th century when Bishop Absalon founded a monastery at the site, which was confiscated by ...

, a centuries-old educational institution that stands on its northeastern shores. A tour boat operates on the lake in the summer time. It is also a popular venue for a wide range of recreational activities, including, sailing, rowing, kayaking, fishing and swimming.

Geography

The lake consists of a rounded southern part and a long, narrow section, Smallesø (Narrow Lake), which extends north and finally becomes a canal that flows into Pedersborg Lake from where water continues to Tuel Lake and then through Tuel Å to the

. It has a total area of 210 hectares and a maximum depth of 12.9 metres. It is a

kettle hole A kettle (also known as a kettle hole, kettlehole, or pothole) is a depression or hole in an outwash plain formed by retreating glaciers or draining floodwaters. The kettles are formed as a result of blocks of dead ice left behind by retreating ...

and only fed by two minor streams.

History

Sorø Abbey and the town of Sorø was built on what was almost an island in a single lake. Lake Sorø and Lake Pederborg when an embankment with a new road to

Slagelse Slagelse () is a town on Zealand (Denmark), Zealand, Denmark. The town is the seat of Slagelse Municipality, and is the biggest town of the municipality. It is located 15 km east of Korsør, 16 km north-east of Skælskør, 33 km south-east of Ka ...

was built in the beginning of the 19th century. Thuelsø was separated from the two other lakes when the area now known as Flommen was drained and water levels in the lake was lowered. Sorø Lake was a popular destination for excursions already from the 19th century, especially the Parnas Pavilion on a small hillat the southwestern corner of the lake. It later developed into one of the largest entertainment venues on Zealand with room for 1,200 dining guests and entertainment by artists such as

Kai Normann Andersen Kai Normann Andersen (11 April 1900 – 24 June 1967) was a Danish composer who wrote film scores and music for stage revues and dramas. He composed songs for over 50 films between 1930 and 1965. In the 1930s and 1940s he dominated Danish film m ...

Liva Weel Olivia Marie Olsen (31 December 1897 – 22 May 1952), Liva Weel, was a Danish singer, comedian, and actress. Although she was trained in classical singing, her signature songs and performances were ballads. Upbringing Weel grew up in Vesterb ...

and

Osvald Helmuth Osvald Helmuth (14 July 1894 – 18 March 1966) was a Danish stage and film actor and revue singer. Life and career His career began in Randers in 1913, and he later appeared in the Nørrebro Teater in Copenhagen.

. A small ferry operated on the lake from 1872, transporting passengers back and forth between the railway station and the town centre or Kongebroen.

Surroundings

Town and landmarks

The town of Sorø, with

, Is located on the northeastern shores of the lake. The academy's campus area features a number of historic buildings, including Sorø Abbey Church. Parnas Park opened at the former site of the Parnua pavilion in 2015. Parnas Hus plays host to parties and other events. The park also comprises various outdoor activities. Feldskovpavillonen is a small thatched building with exposed timber framing. It was built in about 1840 by ''Etatsråd'' Povelsen and has been frequented by cultural figures such as B.S. Ingemann and

Hans Christian Andersen Hans Christian Andersen ( , ; 2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogue (literature), travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales. Andersen's fai ...

and many others. Ægir at the northwestern corner of the lake is a former residence for a forest worker where it was also possible to have tea. Støvlet Katrines Hus was originally built for

Christian IV Christian IV (12 April 1577 – 28 February 1648) was King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Holstein and Schleswig from 1588 until his death in 1648. His reign of 59 years and 330 days is the longest in Scandinavian history. A member of the H ...

's mistress Støvlet Cahtrine. It is now operated as a high-end restaurant.

Nature

It is surrounded by woodland and green corridors along the shoreline on most of the other sides. Grydebjerg Eood is situated on the west side of the lake. Sønderskov is located to the southeast of the lake, adjoining Flommen on the east side of the lake is grazed by cattle and horses.

Activities

Sailing and rowing

Sorø Roklub Sorø () is a town in Sorø municipality on the island of Zealand in east Denmark with a population of 8,433 (2025).pike Pike, Pikes or The Pike may refer to: Fish * Blue pike or blue walleye, an extinct color morph of the yellow walleye ''Sander vitreus'' * Ctenoluciidae, the "pike characins", some species of which are commonly known as pikes * ''Esox'', genus of ...

zander The zander (''Sander lucioperca''), sander or pikeperch, is a species of ray-finned fish from the Family (biology), family Percidae, which also includes perch, Gymnocephalus, ruffe and Darter (fish), darter. It is found in freshwater and brackis ...

and

perch Perch is a common name for freshwater fish from the genus ''Perca'', which belongs to the family Percidae of the large order Perciformes. The name comes from , meaning the type species of this genus, the European perch (''P. fluviatilis'') ...

. Local sports fishers are organized in Sorø Lystfisker Forening.

Bathing

Bathing is mainly done from Skjolden on the east side of the narrow Smallesø section of the lake.

References

External links

Støvlet Kathrines Hus
{{Sorø Municipality Sorø Municipality Lakes of Zealand Tourist attractions in Sorø Municipality