Tofte Holy Spring

GPS Link: 56.0399360, 12.1074260  

Parking: Tibirke Church Parking Lot (56.0409465, 12.1068059)

Good To Know: There is not much space on the side of the road, so watch out for cars while walking there 

Nearby Attractions: Helene Spring, Grave, etc.

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From the old cemetery wall of Tibirke Church, in what is now an idyllic little park area, flows the legendary Tofte Spring. The spring has been sought out for its healing effects, going back hundreds of years, if not more

Tofte Holy Spring flows from an old stone wall, in an idyllic, green area near Tibirke Church. The name of the spring comes from an old village, Tofte, that was destroyed by sand drifts back in the 18th century. However, historians believe that the original name for the spring was “Tir’s Væld” (the modernised form of this being Tisvilde), with Tir denoting the Nordic god, Tyr, and væld meaning literally spring. It is thought that the name Tibirke shares the same roots, and is a short form for “Tirs Hellige Birkelund” – in English: The Holy Birch Grove of Tir – referring to an old place of devotion to Tyr. Nearby can also be found other pre-Christian remnants that support some connection with old, heathen cult practices near Tibirke.

Undoubtedly, there also exists some later connection between Tofte Kilde and Tibirke Church, which is one of Denmark’s oldest churches (est. 1120-1130). During Catholic times, the church was an important pilgrimage destination, where Tofte Kilde must have played some sort of role. Perhaps there is even a connection to Saint Helene, who according to legend was supposed to have been buried at the cemetery. The church was also once used for storing crutches, canes and other motion assistance instruments, left by visitors to Helene Holy Spring in Tisvildeleje.

We don’t know much about which ailments Tofte Holy Spring is supposed to have cured, and the same goes for its history of use. One can imagine that it was overshadowed by the immensely popular Helene Spring very early on. An old legend says that a troll, The Arnakke King, was very fond of the Tofte springwater. During the night you could supposedly hear the clanking sound of his waterbuckets near the spring. In the nearby Tibirke Hills there is a long patch where it is said that  no vegetation will grow. According to the legend, this marks the route that The Arnakke King would ride when visiting Tofte Spring.

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