Vallø stift or ''Det Adelige Stift Vallø for ugifte døtre'' (Noble Vallø Foundation for Unmarried Daughters) was a Danish foundation for the support of unmarried female nobles. It was located at Vallø Castle just south of

Køge Køge (, older spelling ''Kjøge'') is a Danish seaport on the coast of Køge Bugt (''Bay of Køge'') 39 km southwest of Copenhagen. It is the principal town and seat of Køge Municipality, Region Sjælland (Zealand), Denmark. In 2025, the ...

on the east coast of the island of

Zealand Zealand ( ) is the largest and most populous islands of Denmark, island in Denmark proper (thus excluding Greenland and Disko Island, which are larger in size) at 7,031 km2 (2715 sq. mi.). Zealand had a population of 2,319,705 on 1 Januar ...

History

Vallø Stift Foundation (''Stiftelsen Vallø Stift'') was created in 1737 by Queen Sophie Magdalene (1700-1770). The convent was inaugurated the following year. It functioned as a convent for unmarried women from noble or princely houses, who resided at Vallø Castle. For this purpose, Vallø Castle was expanded between 1736-38 with a new baroque-style building designed by architect Lauritz de Thurah (1706–1759). Until 1810, the convent was headed by an abbess, who were to be of a princely house. Initially the abbess was Sophie Caroline of Brandenburg-Kulmbach (1705–1764) who was a younger sister of Queen Sophie Magdalene. The abbess had the right to appoint the vicars in the parishes belonging to the county of the stift. She was assisted by a prioress with the title ''dekanesse''. In 1810 the office of abbey was abolished, and the dean became head of the foundation. The activities of the foundation changed after the end of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. In 1976, the foundation's bylaws were revised so that no more new ladies of the diocese were to be enrolled, but noble widows who were already registered could get free housing in the castle.

References

External links

Vallø Stift website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vallo stift 1738 in Denmark 18th-century establishments in Denmark 18th century in Denmark Lutheran women's religious houses