Munkevejen R88, Næstved - Skelby

Næstved and Skovkloster

Næstved was founded in 1135 and was elevated to a market town in 1140. Various monastic orders such as Franciscans, Dominicans, and Benedictines began to develop monasteries in the area, and the town became a religious center in the Middle Ages.

Particularly Skovkloster, a Benedictine monastery, was of great importance, as King Erik Lam granted it significant rights over the town, which it retained throughout the Middle Ages. Skovkloster is the later Herlufsholm.

Susåen - a trade route

Susåen was an important trade route, and in the 1300s, the Lübeck merchants could sail with supplies of stockfish to the monks in Sorø. On their way, they passed both Skelby Church, Gunderslev Church, and the castle that stood here.

Susåen was also an important reason why Næstved became a strong commercial center for the Hanseatic towns - the powerful German merchant union. The Danish king fought against them for trading rights in the Baltic Sea - and lost. But trade with the Hanseatic towns flourished in Næstved.

The town's progress ceased with the Swedish wars in the 1600s, and the population declined, only gaining real momentum again with industrialization and when the railway between Vordingborg and Køge was built in 1870. But today, one can still feel how the monks governed and left their mark on Næstved in the Middle Ages.

Ladby Church Ruin

Northeast of the town, one drives towards Ladby and the Ladby Church Ruin. Like in Bøgesø, the church has been discontinued, but the site still holds great significance for the local population, and ceremonies are still held at the ruin today.

Two churches - one river

The stage ends in Skelby, characterized by the two churches - Skelby Church and Gunderslev Church, which are only 600m apart. The two closely located churches and communities highlight two things in particular. Firstly, the water in the river has historically been an important boundary in daily life. Secondly, there are often opportunities for people to settle where there is a crossing over a watercourse.

Gunderslev Church has been owned by Gunderslevholm but has been owned by the Church of Denmark since 1980. Gunderslevholm is private and not open to the public, but one can still enjoy the landscape and the beautiful buildings from a distance.