Sorø

Also known as Sorö

Sorø () is a town in Sorø municipality on the island of Zealand in east Denmark with a population of 8,433 (2025). It lies on the northeastern shore of Sorø Lake. The municipal council and the regional council are located in Sorø.

Key facts

Settlement.name: Sorø
Settlement.settlement_type: Town
Settlement.image_skyline: Sorø Akademi1.jpg
Settlement.image_caption: Sorø Academy
Settlement.image_shield: Coat of arms of Sorø.svg
Settlement.motto: "Skolebyen Sorø"
Settlement.pushpin_map: Denmark#Denmark Region Zealand
Settlement.subdivision_type: Country
Settlement.subdivision_type1: Region
Settlement.subdivision_name1: Region Zealand
Settlement.subdivision_type2: Municipality
Settlement.subdivision_name2: Sorø Municipality
Settlement.established_title: Founded
Settlement.established_date: 1100s
Settlement.leader_title: Mayor
Settlement.leader_name: Jakob Spliid
Settlement.area_urban_km2: 5.6
Settlement.population_as_of: 2025

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Elevation: 43
Image: Sorø Akademi1.jpg

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Commons category: Sorø
postal code: 4180

Sources (5)

via Wikidata · CC0

~8 min read

Article

13 sections

Contents

Etymology
History
Monastery settlement
The academy's village
Contemporary history
Transportation
Rail
Notable people
Sport
Gallery
See also
Further reading
References

The town was founded in the 12th century by Bishop Absalon, as a Cistercian Abbey. The site also contained Sorø Klosterkirke, the church where Bishop Absalon and Margaret I of Denmark were buried (she was later moved to Roskilde Domkirke). In the 16th century, the Abbey was converted into a school, which became Sorø Academy. Despite the construction of a rail line through the town in the mid-19th century, the academy remained the core of the settlement, and Sorø has limited industry. Today, Sorø is a commuter town, as much of its population works in either greater Copenhagen or Roskilde.