Tirsbæk

Tirsbæk is a three-winged manor house positioned on an islet with moats running around it and forested slopes that descend toward Vejle Fjord. The buildings cluster around a central courtyard, creating an enclosed residential complex.

The estate first appears in written records around 1401, though the present structure dates from 1550 with additional wings added by 1577. After that period the layout remained largely unchanged, preserving its Renaissance form.

The name Tirsbæk comes from Tyr, a Norse god, and refers to a place where a sacred site once existed before becoming a fortified residence. Visitors sense this layering of ancient and medieval uses when walking through the grounds.

The property has remained under private ownership by the Algreen-Ussing family since 1912 and visits are only possible with advance notice. Groups interested in touring should contact the owners directly to arrange their visit.

The grounds contain a terraced garden from the 1700s that includes Denmark's oldest surviving vineyard. This historic garden spreads across multiple levels, showing how estates once cultivated wine in northern European climates.