Hønekilden – “The Hen Spring” of Sønderborg

Hønekilden, literally “The Hen Spring” in Sønderborg, southern Denmark, was once renowned for its pure water so much so that, in the 1500s, Queen Dorothea had it channeled through hollowed-out tree trunks to her Sønderborg Castle’s waterworks.
But also other locals trusted it above all other sources even for cooking.
However, even if its outlet remains visible still today behind a wrought iron gate, the water is no longer drinkable.

Actually there are several legend surrounding the spring, especially in the neighborhood, where residents claimed that local newborns weren’t brought by storks but found simply swimming in its waters.
In 1924, Widow Larsen of Sønderborg recalled how, as a child around 1845, she and her friends would hide by the spring, hoping to catch a glimpse of these mysterious babies, but their curiosity was never satisfied.
But it was also linked to other forms of magic, with some believing its waters held the power to aid fertility. It was said that if a woman struggled to conceive simply stepping over the spring’s water could lead to pregnancy.
If the water has magic powers or if a following pregnancy is due to a helpful soldier from the barrack, we will leave unsaid!

Then there’s the haunting tale of a young girl who, on Three King’s Day, hoping to catch a glimpse of her future husband, peered into the spring…only to see her own image, shrouded for burial.
She confided her fright to a friend, but that same night, terror overwhelmed her, and she was found dead the next day in the harbor’s icy waters.

In 2016, a new water feature by Vibeke Fonnesberg (1946-2024) was added beside the legendary old spring, creating a small plaza in front of it.
The piece includes trickling water taps and a rooster with three hens cast in bronze as a playful nod to the spring’s name, Hønekilden. Today you can see the outflow through a wrought-iron gate.

Images from web – Google Research