Editing Nykøbing Falster (section)

=== Early history ===
[[File:Nykøbing Falsters våben 1655.png|thumb|left|150px|Coat of arms in 1655]]
Nykøbing Falster was founded around a 12th-century [[Middle Ages|medieval]] castle. At the end of the 12th century, fortifications were set up on a peninsula on [[Guldborgsund]] for protection against the [[Wends]], and these were later converted into Nykøbing Castle. The town of Nykøbing Falster grew up around these fortifications. After the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]], the castle was the residence of widowed Danish queens. As several queens of German descent resided here, many Germans came to the town.<ref>[http://www.planetware.com/denmark/nykobing-falster-dk-st-faln.htm Reference on www.planetware.com]</ref>

[[File:Nyekiöbing in Falster 1730.jpg|thumb|250px|Nykøbing in 1740.]]
Situated on a headland, the castle was protected from all sides. In its early days, the castle belonged to the [[dynasty|royal house]]. Medieval documents issued in this region reveal that the [[Noble court|royal court]] regularly visited the castle. This is the castle where [[Christopher II of Denmark|Christopher II]] died (1332) and where [[Christian V]] was married (1667). [[Christian, Prince Elect of Denmark]] resided here. The castle was chartered in 1539. [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9056578/Nykobing-Falster REF]

The castle and the entire crown land on [[Falster]] were put up for sale in 1763 to help improve the poor state of government finances. The castle was sold for demolition, and only the modest ruin of one of the towers, Fars Hat (''Father’s Hat'' in Danish) is in existence today.