Hjortespring

Deep in the heart of Herlev lies Hjortespring. It’s more than just a suburb. It’s a place brimming with a rich history, whispering tales of rural tranquility and rapid urban development. Hjortespring wasn’t always the bustling suburb you see today. Imagine a peaceful, agrarian landscape dotted with the quaint village of Tubberup. This village, dating back to at least 1186, predates Hjortespring itself. The very name Tubberup echoes through time in local street names like “Tibberup all” and “Tibbevangen”. Tubberup’s story, however, is one of resilience and transformation. Damaged during the tumultuous Svenskekrigene (Swedish Wars), it eventually met its end in the years following 1672. King Christian V transferred the land to Vincents Hahn, the royal gamekeeper. Hahn then established the Hjortespring estate, envisioning it as a prime hunting ground. The name “Hjortespring,” meaning “deer leap,” perfectly captured the area’s purpose. Hjortespring’s journey continued when the Danish crown purchased the estate in 1738. The main building was demolished. The land was repurposed as grazing pastures for the military’s horses. By the late 1700s, the area was divided into eleven farms, supporting a small community of 85 inhabitants. The 19th century saw the consolidation of some of these farms. This resulted in larger properties like Gammelgȧrd, Sögȧrd, and Lærkegȧrd. The latter two eventually merged to form the Lille Birkholm estate in the 1860s. This grand estate stood as a testament to the area’s evolving landscape until its demolition in 1975, making way for a nursing home. Today, the area blends green spaces with urban development. The “Hjortespringkilen” offers a sprawling natural retreat. It’s a mosaic of farmland, recreational areas, the wild Smør-og Fedtmosen (Butter and Lard Bog), and Træbanken, a botanical park showcasing a diverse array of Danish trees and shrubs. Modern Hjortespring comprises three distinct areas. The original area around Gammel Klausdalsbrovej retains a touch of the past with older homes and service businesses. The area north of Ring 4, a primarily residential area, features “Cowboybyen,” a nickname for the flat-roofed, two-story houses in the Sortemosen area. So, the next time you find yourself in Hjortespring, take a moment to appreciate its layered past. From a quiet village to a royal hunting ground and finally, a thriving suburb of Copenhagen, Hjortespring stands as a testament to the passage of time.