Kettinge Explained

Official Name:Kettinge
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Denmark Lolland
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location on Lolland
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Denmark
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Zealand (Sjælland)
Subdivision Type2:Municipality
Subdivision Name2:Guldborgsund
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population As Of:1. January 2024
Population Total:519
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+1
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+2
Coordinates:54.6964°N 11.7286°W

Kettinge is a village and parish in southeastern Lolland, Denmark.[1] It belongs to Guldborgsund Municipality, in Region Zealand. As of 2024 the village has a population of 519.[2]

Etymology

The name comes from kat (cat) and the ending inge and means "place with cats". The ending also indicates the place originated in the Iron Age before 600 AD.[3]

History

Kettinge Church still bears traces of a Romanesque nave and chancel, showing it was built around 1200. It is best known for its frescos painted by the Elmelunde Master c. 1500.[4] The present Kettinge Mølle (Kettinge Windmill) dates from 1891, replacing an even older post mill.[5] From 1909 until c. 1960, Kettinge was a railway station on the line from Nysted to Nykøbing. At the beginning of the 20th century, the village flourished with shops, an electric power station, a brickworks and a sawmill.[3]

The village today

Although most of the old businesses have now closed, Kettinge has a day nursery, a sports hall and an open-air swimming pool. "Kettinge Bylav" is the name given to the old tingsted or moot near the windmill, marking the place where the village elders used to meet to take administrative decisions. It has recently been renewed, as has the mill itself.[6]

Surroundings

Kettinge is only 4km (02miles) from Nysted with its castle, shops and beach. Many prehistoric remains can be seen in Frejlevs Oldtidsskov. Kettinge Grusgrav, an old quarry, has hills, lakes, riding tracks and walking paths and includes Troelshøj, Lolland's highest point.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Maps. Google Maps.
  2. https://m.statbank.dk/TableInfo/BY3?lang=en BY3: Population 1 January, by urban areas
  3. https://archive.today/20130213062227/http://www.kettinge.eu/Historie.html "Historie"
  4. http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Maribo_1087-1100.pdf Kirsten Weber-Andersen, Otto Norn, Aage Roussell, Gertrud Købke Knudsen, "Vegerløse Kirke"
  5. http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/Lolland/Lolland_-_m%C3%B8ller/Kettinge_vindm%C3%B8lle "Kettinge Mølle"
  6. http://www.guldborgsund.dk/da/Borger/Tilflytter/Landbyportraetter/Kettinge-Frejlev.aspx "Kettinge-Frejlev"