Why is Køge located here?

Køge was founded by royal order at the first place south of Copenhagen that had a natural harbour. The order was issued in the years prior to 1288, and placing the town also included the design of a town plan. This plan continues to provide the setting for the old town centre up to our days. Køge was granted a municipal charter in 1288.

Køge is one of the towns in Denmark that have the largest number of well preserved half timbered houses in its centre, including Denmark's oldest half timbered house from 1527, verified by a date inscription, and the oldest town hall still in use, dating from 1552.

In the past, the harbour in Køge was home base for foreign trade with North German towns, and the large market square was the centre of commerce and venue for jousting tournaments, and it was also here criminals were punished for breaking local and national laws.

Jousting tournaments are history now, and criminals are no longer punished in public, but we still have market days in Køge Torv on Wednesdays and Saturdays.