Kirkestræde 20, Protected monument and medieval building in Køge, Denmark.
Kirkestræde 20 is a protected monument and medieval building in Køge featuring flint block walls, timber framing, and a steep gabled roof with traditional clay tiles. The structure displays the typical construction methods of older merchant houses from that period.
The building dates to 1527, confirmed by a door handle, making it the oldest dated timber-framed structure in Denmark. It originally stood as part of market booths near Sct. Nicolaj Church and served many roles throughout the centuries.
Inside the building sits a children's story room decorated with a mural by Peer Dahl showing scenes from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. The artwork connects this space to Denmark's most celebrated literary works.
The building was chosen for preservation in 1908 rather than demolition and underwent renovations later, including basement improvements in 2002 and 2004. Visitors should know that it remains an active building with limited access to certain areas.
One detail stands out: a door handle on the structure that reveals its exact construction year of 1527, making it a dated artifact. This small metal piece is why scholars know that no other timber-framed building in Denmark is older and precisely dated.
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