Stevns
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stevns is a municipality (Danish, kommune) in Storstrøm County on the southeast coast of the island of Zealand (Sjælland) in south Denmark. The municipality covers an area of 166 km², and has a total population of 11,439 (2005). Its mayor is Lars Asserhøj, a member of the Venstre (Liberal Party) political party.
The main town and the site of its municipal council is the town of Store-Heddinge.
Neighboring municipalities are Vallø to the northwest, and Fakse to the southwest. Because the municipality forms a headland between two large bays, it is surrounded by water on three sides. To the north is Køge Bay (Køge Bugt), to the east is the Baltic Sea, and to the south is Fakse Bay (Fakse Bugt).
By January 1, 2007 Stevns municipality will, as the result of Kommunalreformen ("The Municipality Reform" of 2007), be merged with existing Vallø municipality to form the new Stevns municipality. This will create a municipality with an area of 247 km² and a total population of 21,776 (2005). The new municipality will belong to the new Region Sjælland ("Zealand Region").
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[edit] The town of Store-Heddinge
The town of Store-Heddinge came into existence during the 1200s, and Saint Katharina Church (Sct. Katharina kirke) is also from that time. The town received privileged status as a merchant town in 1441. A Latin preparatory school was founded in the town in 1620, but was closed down in 1739.
The assembly house (Danish, tinghuset) in Store-Heddinge was build around 1838 on the newly build Nytorv plaza as a combination town hall, assembly hall, and jail. It was built by architect Jørgen Hansen Koch, who was Director for the Royal Danish Academy of Art (Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi).
The water tower is from 1911 and is made from both limestone from nearby Stevns Klint and red brick.
[edit] Attractions
The area is known for its white chalk cliffs, which are quite rare in Denmark. Stevns Klint (Stevns' Cliffs) is one of these, and it is a popular attraction. The old town church by the small village of Højerup collapsed partially over the cliffs in 1928 due to erosion.
[edit] External links
- Municipality's official website
- The new Stevns municipality's official website (Danish only)
- East Denmark tourism information
[edit] References
- Municipal statistics: NetBorger Kommunefakta, delivered from KMD aka Kommunedata (Municipal Data)
- Municipal mergers and neighbors: Eniro new municipalities map
| Municipalities in Storstrøm County | |
|---|---|
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Fakse | Fladså | Holeby | Holmegaard | Højreby | Langebæk | Maribo | Møn | Nakskov | Nykøbing Falster | Nysted | Næstved | Nørre Alslev | Præstø | Ravnsborg | Rudbjerg | Rødby | Rønnede | Sakskøbing | Stevns | Stubbekøbing | Suså | Sydfalster | Vordingborg |
|
