Here we stand at Vestvolden Voldpunkt 6 a place with a past. Vestvolden itself is the Western Rampart. It is a rampart complex west of Copenhagen. Vestvolden stretches about 14 kilometers. It goes from Avedøre in the south to Utterslev Mose in the north.
Vestvolden was part of the city’s last land fortifications. It was built from 1888 to 1892. Up to 2000 workers were involved. It was Denmark’s largest construction project at the time. Vestvolden was divided into two fortifications. The southern part was Vestenceinten. The northern and shorter part was Husumenceinten. Vestvolden became the collective term for both.
The building began during the “Provisorietiden”. This was the Provisional Time from 1885 to 1894. Prime Minister J.B.S. Estrup lacked a parliamentary majority. However he enforced his Financial Laws. He had King Christian IX’s support for Provisional Financial Laws. This included support from the Landstinget. Half of the Landstinget members were chosen by the Monarch.
Vestvolden’s use as a fortification stopped in 1920. It continued for military purposes. It wasn’t opened to the public until 1963. Today it is a recreational area. It has been a protected area since 1993.
Vestvolden was built as part of Copenhagen’s Land Defence. The construction was one of Denmark’s largest projects. It was also the most debated. This was because of Copenhagen’s role in the constitutional battle. Estrup’s government pushed the building’s funding through. They used provisional financial laws. This was against the Folketinget majority. Copenhagen’s defense became a symbol of the conflict. It was between the Højre and Venstre parties. This conflict was a key part of Danish politics then.
As part of a political deal Estrup resigned in 1894. The deal included halting the defense expansion. The military wanted this expansion. In 1909 it was decided that Vestvolden would be shut down from 1922.
When World War I began in 1914 a force was called in. 50000 men were sent to Copenhagen’s defense. They armed it ready for battle. For four years soldiers waited for a war that never came to Denmark.
After the war Copenhagen’s Land Defence was shut down. This took effect on April 1 1920. Vestvolden became a storage area for ammunition. Most of it remained a military area. Civilians were banned until the 1960s. The last parts of Vestvolden around Ejbybunkeren were cleared in 2004.
Vestvolden used a new system. It was based on flanking casemate protection. This system was created by E.J. Sommerfeldt. He was inspired by Henri Alexis Brialmont. The system is also known as the Sommerfeldt or Danish front. Behind Vestvolden were batteries including Paradis Batteri.
Vestvolden was impressive. It had moats ramparts magazines and underground passages. Originally there was also a railway behind it. Technological advances in World War I reduced Vestvolden’s military importance.
During World War I the Tunestillingen was added. This was between Køge Bugt and Roskilde Fjord. Cannons could then reach Copenhagen. Vestvolden was staffed during World War I. Many armaments were built. Kilometers of barbed wire were laid out. This was in front of the caponiers and along the rampart.
Today the area is used for recreation. A cycle route runs along the rampart. You can now cycle or stroll along Vestvolden. You can discover old forts and batteries. Many include descriptions of their past. You might even see sheep grazing nearby.
You can also try the mobile game ‘Forsvundet i tiden’. You need to help missing children. You solve questions and tasks. The app lets you use your phone as digital binoculars. You can discover hidden historical clues. You can explore Ejbybunkeren. It was used until 2004.
Vestvolden Voldpunkt 6 stands as a testament to a time of conflict and innovation. It reminds us of Denmark’s past. It also offers a space for recreation and reflection.