Esrum Abbey

Esrum Abbey, also known as Esrom Abbey, was a Cistercian monastery located near Hillerød on Zealand, Denmark. It began as a Benedictine foundation around 1140 near a pre-Christian religious site called Esrum Spring. The abbey was taken over by the Cistercians in 1151 and became an important center for spreading Cistercian influence, founding several other monasteries including Vitskøl Abbey, Sorø Abbey, Ryd Abbey, Kołbacz Abbey, and contributing to Dargun Abbey. The abbey burned down twice in 1194 and 1204, leading to the construction of a new red brick basilica.

Esrum was associated with Danish royalty; Queen Helvig of Schleswig became a lay sister there after her political downfall and was buried in the abbey church, which brought royal patronage. The Codex Esromensis, a collection of letters from 1374–1497, survives in the Royal Library.

After Denmark adopted Lutheranism in 1536, the abbey became a crown estate. It continued as a monastery until 1559 when monks were moved to Sorø Abbey. The buildings were dismantled for materials and later used as a hunting lodge, stud farm, barracks, and administrative offices.

During World War II, the site was used for secure storage of archives and housing Latvian refugees. After restoration in 1996, the remaining structures became a national historic monument, now serving as a museum and educational center focused on nature and environmental studies. The abbey is also associated with local legends and inspired the naming of a cheese, Esrum or Esrom.

Key historical sources include Andreas Christian Anton Kierulf's work from 1838.