Out in the middle of the Great Belt, between Zealand and Funen, lies the small island of Sprogø – a place where nature, dramatic history and modern engineering meet within a few square kilometres. Today the Great Belt Fixed Link crosses the island, yet Sprogø holds far more than the bridge sweeping over it.

The island has two halves. Old Sprogø is the original, hilly moraine island, crowned by a striking lighthouse from 1868 that has guided ships through the current-swept belt for more than 150 years. Here too stand the buildings of the notorious Sprogø Women's Home, which from 1923 to 1961 served as a closed institution for young women branded by their era as "morally deficient". Around 500 women were confined on the island over the years, cut off from the world by the very water that today makes Sprogø such a peaceful place. The history is both harsh and fascinating, and it still lingers in the walls.

New Sprogø is the island's other half – a landscape that emerged when the Great Belt link was built in the 1990s and the island was enlarged many times over. Today this expansive area is protected and designated a bird sanctuary. Countless birds rest and breed here, and the island is home to the rare, protected green toad. Because the wildlife needs peace, Sprogø is closed to the public – you can only reach it on a guided tour.

And that is exactly what makes a visit so sought-after: Sprogø is a closed land that opens only to the few. On the tour you come right up to the lighthouse, the women's home buildings and the open, windswept landscape – and from New Sprogø you enjoy a unique, close-up view of the Great Belt Bridge's soaring suspension span. The island can only be experienced on a guided tour, arranged by Destination Sjælland from Korsør.

Sprogø belongs to West Zealand and is reached from the Zealand side at Korsør. A visit combines easily with the other experiences along the Great Belt. Find more inspiration at Destination Sjælland and read about the island's history and nature at Sund & Bælt, which manages Sprogø today.

Frequently asked questions about Sprogø

Can you visit Sprogø?

Yes, but only on a guided tour. The island is protected and otherwise closed to the public to safeguard its birdlife. The tours run from Korsør.

What can you see on Sprogø?

The lighthouse from 1868, the buildings of the former women’s home and the nature of New Sprogø – plus a unique close-up view of the Great Belt Bridge.

Where is Sprogø?

In the middle of the Great Belt between Zealand and Funen. The Great Belt Bridge crosses the island, and the tours start from Korsør on the Zealand side.

How big is Sprogø?

The original island was small, but during the construction of the Great Belt link Sprogø was enlarged many times over and today covers around 1.5 square kilometres.