Holiday apartment in Stevns Municipality: UNESCO cliff and nature

Stevns Municipality leads to a place where geological history, coastal landscapes and regional culture exist closely side by side. At the center is Stevns Klint: the cliff is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because its fish clay layer documents the asteroid impact associated with the extinction of the dinosaurs and half of all animal species. Those considering a holiday apartment in Stevns Municipality will therefore find a destination whose characteristic experiences range from the cliff landscape and protected nature to museums and historic sites.

Coast and geology

Stevns Klint stretches for approximately 17 kilometers from Bøgeskov Havn in the north to Rødvig Havn in the south. The cliff is up to 40 meters high and consists of layers of whitish-gray limestone, white chalk and flint. The Stevns Klint Trampesti, a 22-kilometer hiking trail with panoramic views and traces of the extinction of the dinosaurs, runs along the cliff. Clear usage rules apply: cycling is not permitted along the cliff, and the Stevns Klint Trampesti may only be used on foot.

At Boesdal Kalkbrud, visitors can walk through the cliff to the sea via a former opening through which flint was once tipped onto the beach. The historical function of this opening remains just as evident as the connection between the limestone quarry, the rock and the coast.

Nature

Over its final 15 kilometers, the Tryggevælde Å flows through Stevns in a broad river valley toward Køge Bugt. Tryggevælde Ådal is designated as a Natura 2000 site and is therefore under special protection. The landscape has two observation towers with benches and information boards. From the southern tower, Fuglebroen leads to a bird-watching site.

The importance of the landscape for wildlife is also evident at Stevns Fyr: every year, millions of birds pass the lighthouse in spring and autumn. At Holtug Kridtbrud, flint, various sea urchils and corals are among the typical fossils. Shark teeth as well as teeth or parts of a mosasaur can also be found there. The thin fish clay layer above the chalk marks the K/T boundary.

In addition, in 2011 Stevns Municipality created nature trails and picnic areas in a forest and established a dog forest and a health trail.

Culture and history

Gjorslev Castle offers guided tours presenting 600 years of history and the development of the medieval fortress into a castle. The park at Gjorslev Castle is laid out in the English garden style and is freely accessible during the day. In summer, guided World Heritage tours start in Højerup.

The Stevns Folklore Museum presents local legends, myths and folk beliefs from Stevns and the surrounding area through exhibitions, storytelling and activities for the whole family. The museum can be reached by car, public transport and bicycle. Stevns Fyrcenter has a permanent, free exhibition about the World Heritage Site and fossils found on Stevns.

Stevnsfort and the FORT Museum add another historical focus. During the museum's opening hours, the Stevnsfort museum ticket also includes access to the missile, artillery, fighter aircraft and radar area. The underground section of Stevnsfort can only be visited as part of a guided tour. The FORT Museum brings the 1.7-kilometer tunnel network of Stevnsfort and its underground operations room to life.

Maritime technology takes center stage at the Rødvig Ship Engine Museum. It displays 150 ship and boat engines dating back to 1903, as well as model ships and maritime equipment. Visitors can experience engines being started and board the cutter Vivi. Stevns Klint Experience serves as the primary arrival and visitor center for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Stevns Klint.

Places in the municipality

Other places in the municipality include Rødvig, Strøby, Strøby Egede, Tureby, Tåstrup, Klippinge, Store Heddinge and Hårlev.

For the higher-level travel overview: Zealand.