Soro Abbey

Soro Abbey was founded in 1161 by Bishop Absalon's family and became one of the wealthiest Cistercian houses in Denmark, and its church survives largely intact as the largest brick church of its period in the country, a long austere basilica of the plain Cistercian type on the shore of Soro Lake. Inside are the tombs of Absalon himself, buried behind the high altar, along with several medieval Danish kings including Valdemar the Great and Christopher II, and the poet Ludvig Holberg, who endowed the academy here. A crucifix of about 1247 hangs in the nave. After the Reformation the monastic buildings were converted into a school, Soro Academy, which still occupies the site in eighteenth-century buildings among mature trees by the water.

What you actually see

• A large plain brick basilica - the Cistercian church, largely unaltered.
• Absalon's tomb - the bishop buried behind the high altar.
• Medieval royal graves - Valdemar the Great and other kings.
• The academy and lakeside grounds - the school that replaced the monastery.

When to go

April to October for the grounds and the lake walk; the church is open year round outside services. Two hours. Autumn colour among the academy trees is very good. It is quiet at all times.

Honest expectations

The monastic buildings themselves are gone, replaced by the school, so only the church is medieval. The academy grounds are a working school and access is limited in term time. Interpretation inside the church is minimal. The town has little else.

Nearby

Soro Lake is at the door; Ringsted and Roskilde lie east.