Idestrup is a town some 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) southeast of Nykøbing Falster on the Danish island of Falster. As of 2024, it has a population of 1,125.[1]
History
Idestrup Church built in the Romanesque style dates from the 12th century. With its whitewashed walls, rounded windows and a red tiled roof it stands in the middle of the town.[2] Other buildings of interest include the dairy from the late 19th century, the foramlingshus (community centre) from 1901 and the old people's home with a history going back to 1924.[3]
The town's development owes much to Edward Tesdorph, originally a farmer, who built a pump station to drain the area after a flood in 1872. He was behind the local high tension power station (1912) as well as the sugar refinery in Nykøbing.[4]
Various Iron Age and Bronze Age finds have recently been made in and around Idestrup indicating that it has been inhabited for much longer than previously thought.[5]
The town today
The town has a sports association, Idestrup-Væggerløse Idrætsforening, and Idestrup Hallen, a sports hall suitable for football, handball, gymnastics, badminton and tennis.[6][7] There is also a library, food store and, since 2011, a new private school.[4]
Notable people
Edward Tesdorpf (1817 – 1889 in Orupgaard) a German-Danish landowner, agricultural pioneer and sugar manufacturer; buried in Idstrup cemetery
Mads Rasmussen (born 1981 in Idestrup on Falster) a Danish rower and double World Champion and Olympic Gold medal winner in the lightweight double sculls
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