How about stepping back in time to a place where water once powered industry and knives were born? That place is Raadvad. It is a former industrial area. Raadvad sits where Lyngby-Taarbæk and Rudersdal meet. This is in the northern suburbs of Copenhagen.
Raadvad’s story began in 1643. Christian Alckenbrecht got royal permission. He built the first watermill here. By 1647, he had three waterworks. These were for sharpening, hammering, and fulling. Swedish soldiers destroyed them in 1658. But by 1664, Raadvad was back. It was now a gunpowder and sharpening mill. In 1671, the king took ownership. From then on, Raadvad made gunpowder until 1869. The activities then shifted to Frederiksværk.
King Frederick V gifted Raadvad to Nicolai Jacob Jessen. Jessen expanded the site. He also operated a flour mill. But he went bankrupt in 1765. The Iron Mongers’ Guild in Copenhagen then took over Raadvad. They started Raadvaddams Fabrikker. They mainly produced kitchen equipment.
Raadvad Kro opened in 1861. It was meant to boost income. The factory was having a tough time. Its location was close to Copenhagen. It also had scenic surroundings. The inn became an instant hit. Even the royal family lunched here. But in 1994, the Coast Line opened. People ventured further up the coast. Raadvad Kro closed in 1916. It later reopened as an inn in 1930.
After World War I, the company became Raadvads Knivfabrikker. For a while, they only made knives and bread cutters. In the 1970s, the company moved to Brønderslev. Today, it is part of the Fiskars group.
In 1981, the Ministry of Environment took over the abandoned buildings. They leased them to Håndværksrådet. A major refurbishment happened in 1986.
Raadvad has 19 listed buildings on the south side of Mølleåen. There are also six buildings on the north side. Notable buildings include Damhuset, the Inspector’s House, and Kildehuset. There is also Fileværket and the forge. Længen and Egehuset are also there. Egehuset was the first school. Møllehuset and four residential blocks are present as well. A new school was built in 1918-19. It now operates as a hostel. It is called Raadvad Vandrehjem. The main factory building dates back to 1879. It is located on the north side.
Today, some buildings house the Center for Bygningsbevaring. It is a center for building conservation. It also preserves traditional crafts. Radvad Nature School also calls Raadvad home. It is a collaboration between municipalities and the Danish Nature Agency. Raadvad Kro is now a restaurant. It hosts meetings and events. The former school is now Lyngby Danhostel. Raadvad is also the site of an entrance gate to Jægersborg Dyrehave.
Several notable people have connections to Raadvad. Georg Jensen was a silversmith and founder of Georg Jensen A/S. Axel Lind, a painter, was born in Raadvad in 1907.
Raadvad stands as a testament to Denmark’s industrial history. It shows the development of a factory community over 300 years. The buildings and surroundings have been preserved. They offer a glimpse into the past. Raadvad remains an important part of Denmark’s industrial heritage. It’s a place where history and nature intertwine.