nykøbing falster
“The houses in the town looked as though they had come straight from a toy box”, wrote the newspaper Illustreret Tidende in 1884, commenting on the view from the smoke- stack of Nykøbing Falster’s new sugar factory. Nykøbing Falster – also known as Revue- købing thanks to its popular summer revue – is a pretty town with small, charming houses. For most of the twentieth century, as a centre for the local community, the town was charac- terised by industry, trade, transport and agri- culture – but an economic and demographic downturn began in the 1970s and 1980s, which changed the situation.
Nykøbing Falster’s market square can be traced back to the time of the town’s founda- tion in the Middle Ages. In those days, the town was dominated by Nykøbing Castle. Unfortu- nately for the castle, its occupants – including various widowed queens – did not look after it very well, and finally, due to penury, it was sold for demolition. Today, the only remaining trace of the castle’s bygone grandeur is the fragment of a wall known as Fars Hat (”Father’s Hat”). The neighbourhood surround- ing the former castle grounds contains both a series of colourful houses from the 1800s and the most modern buildings in the province, while the central part of Nykøbing Falster is 42 currently being renewed and extended towards Slotsbryggen.
Industry and infrastructure began to spring up in Nykøbing Falster from around the mid- 1800s, bringing many new jobs. However, the gradual transition from heavy industry to hi-tech businesses led to significant drops in employment possibilities, and the population began to decline. Around the year 2000 the harbour lost its importance as an industrial centre, which forced several companies to close. As workers on large farms and in shipyards, the islanders developed co-operation and tolerance, rather than entrepreneurship. The many assembly houses, for example, were established by the inhabitants themselves for social gatherings, and the local homes for old people here are larger than anywhere else in the country.
Over the past few years, development in Nykøbing Falster has been marked by the major reforms which have also altered daily life in many other provincial towns and cities, such as the local government, judicial and police reforms, and changes in the area of education, which have caused a the closure of many public sector workplaces. Despite this, Nykøbing Falster is currently experienc- ing population growth and a blossoming of services and cultural life. Furthermore, Guldborgsund Municipality spends more than the national average on cultural activities.
Nykøbing Falster’s market square can be traced back to the time of the town’s founda- tion in the Middle Ages. In those days, the town was dominated by Nykøbing Castle. Unfortu- nately for the castle, its occupants – including various widowed queens – did not look after it very well, and finally, due to penury, it was sold for demolition. Today, the only remaining trace of the castle’s bygone grandeur is the fragment of a wall known as Fars Hat (”Father’s Hat”). The neighbourhood surround- ing the former castle grounds contains both a series of colourful houses from the 1800s and the most modern buildings in the province, while the central part of Nykøbing Falster is 42 currently being renewed and extended towards Slotsbryggen.
Industry and infrastructure began to spring up in Nykøbing Falster from around the mid- 1800s, bringing many new jobs. However, the gradual transition from heavy industry to hi-tech businesses led to significant drops in employment possibilities, and the population began to decline. Around the year 2000 the harbour lost its importance as an industrial centre, which forced several companies to close. As workers on large farms and in shipyards, the islanders developed co-operation and tolerance, rather than entrepreneurship. The many assembly houses, for example, were established by the inhabitants themselves for social gatherings, and the local homes for old people here are larger than anywhere else in the country.
Over the past few years, development in Nykøbing Falster has been marked by the major reforms which have also altered daily life in many other provincial towns and cities, such as the local government, judicial and police reforms, and changes in the area of education, which have caused a the closure of many public sector workplaces. Despite this, Nykøbing Falster is currently experienc- ing population growth and a blossoming of services and cultural life. Furthermore, Guldborgsund Municipality spends more than the national average on cultural activities.
Related artists:
Locations:
