Kapeldalen and St. Margaret's Chapel
8800, Viborg
Close to one of the old military roads on the eastern side of Lake Hald lies the scenic Kapeldalen valley with the remains of St. Margaret's Chapel. The chapel was built in 1560 and was the site of a battle in 1629, where 1,000 Danish soldiers were killed.
The chapel was built by a holy spring. For hundreds of years, pilgrims and other good folk made their way along the Military Road to this spring, which in the Middle Ages was dedicated to St. Margaret. Perhaps they came to be healed, or perhaps they wanted to ensure a long life. Legend has it that people from the nearby farm came here to fetch water for generations – and that they all lived to be around 100 years old! Legend has it that people from the nearby farm fetched water here for generations – and that they all lived to be around 100 years old!
The place is still worth a visit, especially in spring and early summer when the cuckoo flowers are in bloom. The site is visible as a distinct elevation close to the field road. The spring itself has disappeared.
The chapel was built around 1490 and is referred to as a ruin in 1623. It was 19 metres long and 9.5 metres wide.