Ever wondered about the story behind this village? Baldersbrønde’s tale is more than meets the eye. Let me tell you about Baldersbrønde.
Baldersbrønde is located in Høje Taastrup municipality. It sits close to Hedehusene. The village’s history stretches back to the Stone Age. The name Baldersbrønde first appeared in written records in 1321. It was then known as Balorpsbrynnæ.
The name Baldersbrønde consists of three parts. “Balli” is an old personal name. “Torp” means an outlying settlement. “Brønd” means a well or spring. So, Baldersbrønde can be translated to “The wells by Balli’s outlying settlement”. It has nothing to do with the god Balder.
Despite this origin story, there is a legend. The legend connects the village to King Balder of Hedeboegnen. It is said that Balder was under siege. He was dying of thirst. His horse scratched the ground. A spring appeared. Balder regained his strength. He won the Norwegian king’s daughter. The legend says the spring will never dry up. Balder and his horse are buried nearby. They lie with his sword in one of the Bronze Age burial mounds. These mounds are called Baldershøjene. They are just a short walk from here.
Behind Baldersbrønd, you will see Baldersbrønde’s first school. It operated from 1857 to 1901. The painters L.A. Ring and Ludvig Find both lived here.
Baldersbrønde used to look very different. In 1787, the village had 11 farms and 13 houses. The number of households grew rapidly between 1790 and 1850. The village is now centered around the meadow and village pond. The four roads surrounding the meadow are Baldersbrøndegade, Teglevej, Baldersvej, and Ludvig Finds Vej. Another famous painter also has a road named after him here. That is L. A. Ring.
L. A. Ring lived from 1854 to 1933. He came from humble rural backgrounds. His childhood experiences became the main theme in his paintings. He adopted the village’s name and the rural population’s fate. Ring bought the old school in Baldersbrønde in 1901. He lived there for 12 years. Then he passed the school on to Ludvig Find. Ring moved to Roskilde.
Ludvig Find was also a painter. He lived in Baldersbrønde from 1914 into the 1940s. He took over the old school from L.A. Ring. Find was known for his portraits. One of his most famous portraits hangs in Ribe Art Museum. It is a portrait of his father.
Baldersbrønde has a rich history and artistic connections. It has transformed over the centuries. Yet, it still retains its charm and legends. It connects to figures like L.A. Ring and Ludvig Find. This village offers a glimpse into Denmark’s past. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet. The stories of Baldersbrønde continue to flow like the spring itself.