Gravlev Spring is a large and beautiful basin spring with clear, bluish water. From the viewpoint 15-20 metres above the spring, you have a lovely view down to the water as it pulses up from the bottom.

The spring was formed after excavation for road material. Today, 100-150 litres of water per second flow from Gravlev Spring into Gravlev Lake, making it one of Denmark’s largest springs.

A spring with a long history

Gravlev Spring has had a varied history. The spring may have been one of the reasons why Gravlev Church was built here in the 12th century. Springs were often considered sacred places in ancient times, and there may once have been a pagan temple for the Norse gods in the area.

Many churches are located close to old springs, and the church may therefore have replaced an earlier sacred site. In the Middle Ages, Gravlev Spring served as a holy spring.

In 1938, the main road was built over the spring, and the source was pushed eastwards. For more than half a century, the spring also supplied water to a fish farm.

The beautiful spring area below the basin and the winding spring brook are the result of a nature restoration project carried out by the Danish Nature Agency in 1995.

Nature around the spring

The spring water still flows clear and cold through the area. This creates good conditions for rare small animals, trout, kingfishers, grey wagtails and dippers.

If you visit Gravlev Spring on a quiet winter day, you may be lucky enough to see sea trout spawning in the spring brook.