Gedser and Gedesby
Gedser is Denmark’s southern-most town, established in 1886 and built around the railway and ferry port. Today there is a ferry service to Rostock in Germany every two hours from early morning to late evening. More than a million passengers are sailed across every year using cars, lorries, and bicycles. The cycling route Berlin-Copenhagen passes this way.
The Scandlines terminal building is located in the former train station and was used for several TV- and film productions. It stages a variety of concerts and events.
Here you can also see an exhibition telling about Gedser’s history, and photos from 1989 when many East Germans took the ferry across just after the fall of the iron curtain.
Before the Gedser harbour was established, Gedesby was the main town to the south. It dates back to the early middle ages. Up until the Bøtø coastal lagoon was reclaimed, you could sail to the so called Rostocker Hafen just outside Gedesby. The different time periods of the two towns is quite visible. The total number of inhabitants is about 1.000, but in Summer this is doubled due to the large holiday home estate at Gedesby Strand that has some of the best beaches and bathing water in Denmark.
The ferries are until this day a dominant factor in Gedser, and the town is increasingly a holiday resort. Just south of Gedser you find the southernmost point of Denmark and Scandinavia which attracts many visitors all year round.
During the Cold Was 1947-89 Gedser housed one of the surveillance posts of the naval forces. This Marine Station from the 1960s has now been converted into a visitor centre hosting exhibitions and music events.
Gedser Lighthouse from 1801 is still in use. The Reef of Gedser was always dangerous for ships at sea, and therefore it is necessary to mark it clearly.
The Water Tower serves as a viewing point and also hosts exhibitions. From the top you have a lovely view.
The marina is very popular and is well equipped with various facilities. The most recent is a mobile sauna, winter bathing clubs, shelters, and mobile home sites.
At the vintage train museum, Gedser Remise, a large selection of trains from many decades are on view. You can also take the rail trolley or the vintage train using the rail tracks between Gedser and Nykøbing.
The friendship sculpture located at Gedser Square is made by the artist Jesper Neergaard. It symbolizes the friendship between the two municipalities Rostock and Guldborgsund.
Gjedzør Kongsgård was used by royalty and the nobility as a place to rest when sailing across the Baltic Sea to the Hanseatic towns on the coast or to relatives in Mecklenburg. Today only the moat, Svinehave, remains.
The Gedesby Mill (=mølle) welcomes visitors, and here you can buy flour grained in the mill. Here you also find a small café and a playground.
Gedser/Gedesby is ideal for a multitude of outdoor activities, bathing, angling, sailing, windsurfing, cycling, hiking, jogging and other sports.
