Kragenæs

Name: Kragenæs Marina
Rating: 5

Marina near Birket

Last edited 21.09.2022 at 14:38 by NV Charts Team

Latitude

54° 54’ 57.8” N

Longitude

11° 21’ 37.5” E

Description

Comfortable ferry and marina on the west shore of the Ståldybs opposite the island of Fejø.

NV Cruising Guide

Navigation

The approach to the fired harbour is possible day and night. However, the poorly lit Ståldyb requires navigational intuition at night. From the main fairway, the buoyed and lit access channel branches off at 260°. The dredged channel has a target depth of 3m, tends to silting up especially after northerly storms.

Caution: The right of way of the ferries must be observed.

Berths

Guest boats are moored at the northern bulwark on approx. 2.5m water depth together with the fishermen or at free places of the jetties. The berth is agreed with the harbour master. At the jetties the water depth is approx. 2 - 3m. The ferry piers north of the marina are closed to recreational boating.

Surroundings

Good repair service, fuel and supply options at the nearby merchant.

NV Land Guide

The car traffic caused by the ferry connections to Femø and Fejø cannot detract from the cosiness of the harbour. Kragenæs is also a worthwhile stopover, especially because of its hinterland. It is also called the "Lolland Switzerland". Its hills were often the starting point of major war or trade journeys in Viking times and during the Middle Ages. The grave of King Svend (see map), along with other prehistoric graves, is a reminder of the early settlement of the hilly land along the Småland Fairway. From the top of Lolland's highest peak, the 30-metre Bavnehøj, you can get an overview. Immediately to the northeast is the 5000 year old Glentehøj, with a five metre long passage. Ravnsborg, which can be easily reached on footpaths, would certainly be an even more impressive testimony to Lolland's past than the stone tombs if the ruins consisted of more than just a few foundation walls. Today, sheep graze among the remains of the once important fortress. Standing on the castle hill, it is nevertheless easy to imagine how the warships of the Ravnsborg entered the harbour of the fortress.

Our drawing shows the presumed appearance of the castle. The natural hill on which it stood measures the dizzying height of 18 metres for Lolland. All around it was surrounded by water. Where the sea did not reach the hill, a moat provided the necessary distance to the common people. Ravnsborg could only be reached from land via two narrow bridges. The only entrance to the castle itself was a double gate in the curtain wall.

The protection from the land suggests that people lived in constant fear of a popular uprising. It is true that the German count who laid out the castle in 1330 called himself "Johann der Milde von Holstein", but if one looks at the castle security, his leniency cannot have been so far off. He had received Lolland as a pledge from the Danish king.

The complex, 116 metres long from north to south, consisted of three courtyards surrounded by a ring wall. Land and sea were kept in view from the height of a watchtower. Thus secured, the castle was considered impregnable and remained so until Lolland was once again under Danish rule. Fearing that the fortress might fall into the wrong hands, King Hans had the castle pulled down in 1508.

Kong Svends Høj (five kilometres west of Kragenæs) is one of Denmark's largest burial mounds.

Other attractions in the area include the Reventlow Museum at Pederstrup and Reventlow Park (5 km WSW). The museum features the personalities on canvas who were involved in the Danish land reform of 1788. Birket Church, with one of the oldest wooden bell towers in the country, is also worth a visit. Northwest of the harbour begins the Torrig Forest, which is crossed by a network of hiking trails. Art installations in the area make for an interesting walk. There is a small shop at the harbour where you can buy essentials. Away from the ferry dock, a few fishermen's huts and the wooden clubhouse dominate the picture. The hotel in the village offers home-style cooking.

South of the village you will find Lolland's new landmark - a monument made of 12 stone sculptures and up to 12 metres high completed in 2018 - the Dodekalitten. All year round, from sunrise to sunset, specially composed music resounds from the center of the arrangement.