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About Vores Kalundborg

We gather the pulse of the city

Events, shops and news in one local community — run by Kalundborg volunteers, for everyone who lives here and loves the town.

Our mission

Make it easy to live locally — and hard not to

Vores Kalundborg is the Merchants' Association for the town of Kalundborg — a community of shops, associations and businesses working for more life, commerce, and culture in the town centre. We bring together the city's pulse in one place: events, shops, and local news.

The Marketing Committee (MFU) was established on 4 April 2023 and is the financial engine of the association: 13 active investors from 11 local companies fund activities and marketing that make Kalundborg a better place to live, shop, and do business.

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Local shops on the platform
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Active investors in MFU
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Member companies behind MFU
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MFU meetings per year
City history

Kalundborg's history — in brief

From a small Viking-age settlement by the fjord to a modern education and industrial town.

~1170

Establishment

The natural harbour at the end of the fjord created a small settlement as far back as the Viking age. Around 1170, a castle is built on the high hill — Kalundborg. A fortified town area is established by the castle, and the Kordel district emerges below the hill.

1341 – 1443

The medieval town

In 1341, King Valdemar Atterdag takes over the castle and expands it significantly — using it frequently as a royal residence and for council meetings. Kalundborg's earliest known town charter is granted in 1443, but the town was already among Zealand's largest by then.

1536 – 1850

The market town

The town is no longer a royal residence, and the fortification loses its military significance. In the 1600s, a substantial trade district grows in the lower town, and Kalundborg becomes an important ferry port for crossings to Jutland. In the late 1700s, the town gains economic prosperity through grain exports to Norway and later England.

1900 – 1970

The industrial town

The harbour is expanded continuously. In 1940, the town's oil port and refinery are established, but it is only from the 1960s that industrial development really takes off with major companies such as Carmen Curlers (1964) — Kalundborg's first industrial success story — and Novo Nordisk, which still operates in town today.

1970 – nu

After industry

The population grows from ~10,000 to ~15,000 during the 1960s and 70s. The town remains shaped by a few large companies — Novo Nordisk, Novozymes, and the refinery. Kalundborg has been a municipal centre both before and after the 2007 structural reform.

I dag

Kalundborg today

A proud mix of medieval charm, commerce, and industry. Part of West Zealand — one of Denmark's largest holiday regions with the most sunshine hours and the fewest rainy hours. A recognised university town with 16,486 inhabitants (2023), grown from 1,375 at the first proper census in 1850.

Sources: Danish Centre for Urban History, lex.dk

Our values

What we stand for

Four principles that guide everything we do — from what we share to what we don't.

Local

Everything we share has to be relevant to someone in Kalundborg — not generic content, but the pulse of the town.

Open

Our calendar, shop guide and news are free to read and free to contribute to. No paywall, no gatekeeping.

Inclusive

There's room for everyone — long-time locals, newcomers, young and old, Danish-speakers and non-Danish-speakers.

Sustainable

We promote local trade, reuse and shared initiatives that make the town more sustainable for the next generation.

Contact

The people behind it

The full board list is updated after the general assembly.

Investors

Thanks to our member companies

11 local companies that fund activities and marketing in Kalundborg through the Marketing Committee (MFU).

Read more at /mfu — or become an investor yourself.

Want to join us?

Become a member for free, get the newsletter with an overview of events 1-3 times a month, and help shape Kalundborg's community.

Become a member Contact us