Museum Vestsjælland determines concept for new visitor center at Sct. Bendts Kirke
Museum Vestsjælland has now chosen the concept for a future visitor center at Sct. Bendts Kirke in Ringsted. The choice falls on the model "New attraction for Denmark's first royal church", which will form the basis for the further development of the project. This means that the work of determining the specific content, location and financing of the visitor center is now underway.
An information center of international standard
The visitor center will create a vibrant and interactive presentation of St. Bendts Church's unique history and significance for Denmark's royal and ecclesiastical heritage. At the same time, the center will be a central driving force in the development of Ringsted as an attractive cultural and tourist destination.
"We see enormous potential in strengthening the communication of Sct. Bendts Kirke. The upcoming visitor center will be a modern and engaging communication environment, where tourists, school classes and local citizens can gain a deeper understanding of the history of the church and Ringsted. We look forward to further cooperation between us as a museum, Ringsted Municipality and Sct. Bendts Kirke's parish council," says Eskil Vagn Olsen, director of Museum West Zealand.
The municipality and the church are key partners
Ringsted Municipality plays a key role in the project, and will, among other things, work to find suitable locations for the visitor center.
"A visitor center for Sct. Bendts Kirke is a fantastic opportunity to create even more life and tourism in Ringsted. The church is our most significant cultural heritage, and with a past as a royal burial church, it contains both royal and noble graves with significant personalities from Danish history. We look forward to helping realize this ambitious project. We are now starting to investigate the location options, and the entire City Council looks forward to continuing the close collaboration with Museum Vestsjælland and the Parish Council," says Klaus Hansen, mayor of Ringsted Municipality.
The Ringsted Parish Parish Council also sees great prospects in the establishment of a new information center that can create a better framework for telling the history of the church.
"St. Bendts Kirke has a unique place in the history of Denmark and is an important cultural institution in the local area. We wholeheartedly support the project. At the same time, it is important to us that the visitor center is developed with respect for the church's activities" says Ole Hvidesten, chairman of Ringsted Parish Parish Council.
Next step: Financing and concrete planning
With the concept selected, a detailed process now begins to develop a funding strategy, determine the location of the visitor center, and prepare a business model for the project. Museum Vestsjælland has received 2 million kroner from the Finance Act for this work.
"For the rest of 2025, we will work in depth on how and in what form, Sct. Bendts Kirke's fascinating history as a royal tomb church and the story of the church as Scandinavia's oldest brick church, will be communicated and exhibited, and how Ringsted's history will be told at eye level and at a high professional level. We are really looking forward to that," says Eskil Vagn Olsen, director of Museum West Zealand.
A final decision on the location of the visitor center is expected in late 2025. After that, further work will be required to secure funding for the visitor center.
For further information contact:
Eskil Vagn Olsen, Director, Museum West Zealand, 41379256
Klaus Hansen, Mayor, Ringsted Municipality, 40138041
Ole Hvidesten, Chairman, Ringsted Parish Parish Council, 40303801
About St. Bendt's Church and the visitor center
St. Bendts Kirke in Ringsted is one of Denmark's oldest brick churches and served as a burial church for the Danish kings and queens in the Middle Ages. The church is a central monument in Danish history and a significant place for cultural and religious history.
St. Bendts Kirke was built at the behest of Valdemar the Great and consecrated in 1170. The church is located on a hill, and with its impressive volume it stands out well in the landscape and in the field of vision. The history of the church is quite unique, and it is precisely this history and the story of the history of Ringsted town that will be part of the main attraction in the upcoming visitor center.
The ambitions are high on all levels. The goal is for the visitor center to both build on and strengthen the local roots, promote local identity and become a marker for local pride in living in a city with a unique history, which provides international attention and attracts national and international tourists. The goal is also for the visitor center to become a cultural unifying facility with cultural initiatives and social events and become a cornerstone in Ringsted Municipality's urban life strategy.
