Gazing at this unassuming mound, can you imagine the secrets buried beneath the grassy surface of Ordruphøj? Ordruphøj is a protected round barrow in Gentofte Municipality. It sits on Ordruphøjvej between Ellemosen and Ordrup Cemetery. Skovgårdsskolen is just south of it.
Ordruphøj might seem like just a small hill. But it whispers tales of ancient times. It has a diameter of 25 meters. It is 3.5 meters high.
In 1899, Ordruphøj was described in detail. It was a round mound. It measured 25 meters across and 3.50 meters high. It was partially covered with larger trees. It had suffered from people walking on it. There was some leveling. In 1988, it was covered with grass and deciduous trees.
Imagine people gathering here centuries ago. They might have been performing rituals. They could have been burying someone important. The mound served as a significant landmark.
This barrow was officially protected in 1938. This ensured its preservation for future generations. It stands as a reminder of the area’s rich history.
This area of Ordrup has changed a lot over time. Ordrup started as a small village. There were just eight farms and a forge. By the 17th century, Copenhageners liked to visit. Farmers earned extra income from peat. They sold it in Copenhagen.
In the 1760s, Ordrup came under Bernstorff Palace. Foreign Minister Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff received the land. Christian V gifted the land to him. Bernstorff pushed for agricultural reforms. The land was carefully mapped. It was divided into lots.
On September 1, 1765, lots were distributed at Bernstorff Palace. Local farmers received these lots. The names of the eight farms were Lindegaarden, Teglgaarden, Eigaarden, Holmegården, Skjoldgaarden, Hyldegaarden, Damgaarden and Skovgaarden. These reforms boosted profits. Both farmers and Bernstorff benefitted.
An inn opened in Ordrup in 1768. By 1770, only Damgaarden had moved away. It moved to be closer to its land. A fire destroyed most farms and houses on September 6, 1798. The fire started in Teglgaarden’s workshop. A pot of glue boiled over and ignited shavings. Farms were rebuilt on their fields. Lots were sold to craftsmen or Copenhageners. They built summer homes.
After the Klampenborg Railway opened in 1863, many farms became country houses. Ordrup became more accessible. The first school opened in 1867. St. Andrew’s College, a Catholic boys’ school, followed in 1873. Polly Berling, the owner of Ordruphøj, built the school and its church. She had converted to Catholicism in 1869. A Protestant church was built later.
The farmland was replaced by houses and apartments in the early 20th century. Ordrup turned into a suburb.
Today Ordruphøj stands as a silent witness. It has seen centuries of change. From ancient rituals to modern suburbia, Ordruphøj remains. It is a link to the past. Take a moment to appreciate this historical landmark. It is a reminder of the stories beneath our feet.