Isefjord

Map of Isefjord

Hundested at the mouth of the fjord

The Isefjord, Danish Isefjorden, is a deeply branched arm of the sea into the Danish island Zealand. From its relatively narrow entrance from the Kattegat at Hundested and Rørvig, branches of the Isefjord stretch 35 km inland and divide the northern part of Zealand into the peninsulas of Odsherred, Hornsherred and Nordsjælland.^[1]

Some branches have names of their own, such as Roskilde Fjord which joins the Isefjord proper close to its northern end, Holbæk Fjord, and the now drained Lammefjord and Sidinge Fjord at the west.

The depth of the water in the fjord averages 5 to 7 meters, the deepest areas being those on the western side of Orø. Salinity is from 1.6 to 2.2%.

Orø

Orø cable ferry

Orø is an island of about 14 km² in Isefjord with a population of about 1,000. Its four villages are Bybjerg, Brønde, Gamløse and Næsby. It is a popular vacation area with some 1,200 summer houses. The island is now part of Holbæk Municipality. A cable ferry connects the island to Holbæk.

Orø Church dating back to the 12th century and Orø Museum depicting local life in the area are national monuments.

Plant life

The banks of Isefjord are full of interesting flowers and plants. The river valley of Ejby north of Roskilde near Isefjord is a nature reserve with many rare plants.^[2]

The Isefjord workshop

Murals in Tuse Church

• Isefjord is also remembered for its 15th century artists who decorated many of the region's churches with kalkmalerier or wall paintings depicting stories from the Old and New Testaments. A good example is Tuse Church near Holbæk in northwestern Sealand which is richly decorated with both Romanesque and late Gothic murals. Here the life of Jesus is particularly interesting as it combines the biblical accounts with images of kings, devils and women brewing beer.^[3]

References

Coordinates: 55°51′N 11°48′E / 55.85°N 11.8°E / 55.85; 11.8