Køge

Køge([ˈkøːə] or [ˈkøːjə], older spelling Kjøge) is a seaport on the coast of Køge Bugt (Bay of Køge) 39 km southwest of Copenhagen. It is the principal town and seat of Køge Municipality,Region Sjælland, Denmark. In 2012, the urban area had a population of about 35,300.

The natural harbour and strategic location have given Køge a long history as a market town. Today, that past is witnessed by a well-preserved old town centre with many half-timbered houses.

The historical architecture of the town centre is one of the major attractions of Køge. The oldest dated half-timbered house in Denmark, which is also the oldest dated non-nobility and non-religious building of the nordic countries, can be found in Køge. It was built in 1527. Originally a section of a row of hovels, it is now a part of the public library. Pictures can be found in the gallery.

Near the house is Sankt Nicolai Church. The tower of the church contains a lighthouse, the first to be built in Denmark.

Køge's town hall dates from 1552 and is the oldest town hall in Denmark still in use as such.

Køge Torv, the market square, is, with an area of almost 1 hectare, the largest town square in Denmark outside Copenhagen and the largest and best-preserved medieval town square in Denmark. There are fair days on the square Wednesday and Saturday.

Kjøge Miniby (Kjøge Mini-Town) is a historically correct model of the town from the year 1865 – built to a scale of 1:10.