Assendrup: Village Structure, Stones and Cultural Landscape

Assendrup combines a distinctive village structure with a landscape surrounding a small erosion valley. It also has named stones, a local legend and cycling routes with different itineraries.

Landscape and Village Structure

Assendrup lies in a low-lying landscape surrounding a small erosion valley. The area is scenic and topographically distinctive, and has been designated a national geological area of interest. The settlement pattern can also be identified through specific features: Assendrup combines a street-fort village (vejforteby) with a fort-village (fortelandsby). A section of the street widens into a street square known as the Forte. The settlement is now approximately the same size as it was in the 19th century, so its village structure remains recognisable. In the Forte, the fire pond can be seen as a protected watercourse running parallel to the main street.

Assendrupstenen and Troldesten

Assendrupstenen is the longest known stone in East Jutland. It is almost 6 metres long and, according to the best estimate, weighs 80 tonnes. The stone came to light in 1938, when gravel was being extracted at this site. Its size and the historical circumstances of its discovery are two specific clues to understanding this well-known stone.

A 500-metre footpath leads from the Rosenkær property at Assendrupvej 12, crossing a vehicle track to Assendrupstenen. If you plan to take this route, check access in advance.

Troldesten lies 1 kilometre west of Assendrup and 100 metres south of Ørredevej. A local legend is associated with it: a troll is said to have hurled the stone from Fruering Kirke towards Vedslet Kirke. This brings together two named stones with different points of reference: the measurements and discovery year are recorded for Assendrupstenen, while Troldesten is associated with the local tale.

Cycling Routes and Footpath

Cycling Route 7 towards Hov Havn passes through Assendrup. Kulturringen is a 540-kilometre cycling route offering cultural and nature experiences in East Jutland. Its Route 5 runs from Torrild to Alken, with a short detour around Assendrup. For navigation, the distinction is important: Route 7 passes through the village, while Route 5’s short detour goes around Assendrup.

There is also a narrow footpath between Vedsletvej and Assendrupvej. It is another named route through the village, separate from the cycling routes described above.

Local History and Farm Shop

A memorial stone stands by the farm where the old schoolhouse and the Elisabeth-Dorothea Hospital, dating from 1791, once stood. It is another local point of reference alongside the village structure and the stones.

Assendrup Gårdbutik is located in the village of Assendrup near Hovedgård, a little north of Horsens. It sells beef, lamb, veal, eggs, smoked products and ice cream. The local selection therefore includes various types of meat as well as eggs, smoked products and ice cream.

Discover more destinations: Slagballe, Østbirk, Hovedgård, Horsens, Brædstrup

Return to the main travel overview: Horsens.