Til ære for Handel og Søfart

In 1784, a grand gesture of gratitude took shape near Næsseslottet. Frédéric de Coninck, a prominent merchant, commissioned a magnificent monument. This monument, Til Ære for Handel og Søfart, stands as a testament to the prosperity he achieved through trade and seafaring. The column, crafted from Norwegian and Italian marble, granite, and sandstone by English sculptor Carl Frederik Stanley, reaches towards the sky. Atop it sits a globe, symbolizing de Coninck’s global reach. The column’s pedestal bears inscriptions in Danish. One side translates to: “To my grandchildren and their descendants, dedicated by Fredk de Coninck in the year 1784.” The other side declares: “In honor of trade and seafaring, which, under the influence and protection of a wise and mild government, gave me the ability to beautify this place and improve the cultivation of its fields.” Til Ære for Handel og Søfart is more than just a column. It is a symbol of a time when trade and shipping flourished under a supportive government. The reliefs on the pedestal’s other sides depict allegorical motifs of trade, seafaring, agriculture, and gardening. Originally part of the romantic gardens surrounding Næsseslottet, the column stands amongst other remnants of the era, including stone vases and globes scattered throughout the park. Til Ære for Handel og Søfart embodies de Coninck’s gratitude for the prosperity he gained. It also serves as a tribute to the thriving trade and shipping industry that helped shape the region’s history.