A manor estate by Lake Tissø with 700 years of history

Selchausdal Gods lies in a valley in the West Zealand ice-age landscape, close to the eastern shore of Lake Tissø. The estate traces its roots back to 1339 and carries a history spanning medieval noble families, Renaissance architecture and present-day events in authentic surroundings. It is a place where history lives on in the buildings, the landscape and the view across the lake.

The history behind the name

The estate was originally called Gundetved and belonged for several centuries to the Limbæk family, one of the most powerful noble dynasties of the Middle Ages. In 1782 Christian Andreas Selchau purchased the property and renamed it Selchausdal in 1799. He was an enterprising man who invested in improvements to the estate, and his descendants left their own mark on the place. Among them was Michelle Christiane Selchau, who founded Den Milde Stiftelse — an early form of pension scheme for women who had worked on the estate.

Today Selchausdal is owned by the Vagn-Jensen family, who have run the estate for three generations since 1985. Operations span agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing, events, wine sales and energy.

Renaissance architecture under heritage protection

The main building at Selchausdal was constructed in the Dutch Renaissance style and was listed as a protected building in the 1970s as a well-preserved example of this architectural tradition. The building dates from 1856 and was designed by architect J. D. Herholdt, who also created the University Library in Fiolstræde and Odense Town Hall. From the main building there are views over the surrounding nature and Lake Tissø, which forms a central part of Åmosen Nature Park.

The farm buildings have served many purposes over the years and today house rooms for conferences, celebrations and events. It is precisely in these spaces, with their patina and authenticity, that the estate's special atmosphere comes into its own.

Lake Tissø and the nature around the estate

Tissø is Zealand's fourth-largest lake, and its name derives from the Norse god Tyr — the lake was evidently sacred in the Viking world, and numerous votive offerings have been found in and around the water. Near the lake, traces of a large settlement and trading centre from the Viking Age have also been discovered, believed to have been among the richest in Northern Europe.

The nature around Selchausdal is rich and varied. The estate covers nearly 1,000 hectares, including 120 hectares of forest and over 400 hectares of lake. The birdlife at Tissø is remarkable: marsh harriers, whooper swans, little terns and many species of duck make their home here, and with a bit of luck you may spot the rare osprey soaring above the estate's courtyard.

Events, accommodation and experiences

Selchausdal today provides the setting for conferences, corporate events and private celebrations. The estate offers rooms of varying sizes, from intimate meeting rooms to larger function spaces in the old farm buildings. There is accommodation in double rooms, and the estate's own wine import from South Africa ensures the right selection at the table.

For those with an interest in history, the area around Tissø is a treasure trove. Kalundborg with its famous five-towered church — built by Esbern Snare in the Middle Ages — lies within a short drive.

Things to do in the area

West Zealand offers many possibilities near Selchausdal. Åmosen Nature Park stretches along Tissø and is a paradise for walkers and birdwatchers. The Viking fortress of Trelleborg near Slagelse provides a vivid insight into Viking-age building craft, and Sorø with its historic academy and beautiful lakes is just a short drive away. Find more experiences and inspiration at destinationsjaelland.dk.