Small Danish Hotels is now Stays. Only our name has changed. Everything else stays the same.
Rundetårn in Løgstør
Photo: Destination Himmerland
Photo: Destination Himmerland
Photo: Destination Himmerland
In Løgstør you can experience a miniature version of one of Denmark's most famous attractions, namely a replica of the Round Tower in a scale of 1:10. It is a memorial honoring one of Løgstør's pioneers, Peder Horrebow. Born in Løgstør in 1679 as the son of a poor fisherman, he achieved titles such as professor, astronomer, physician, theologian, and mathematician by his death in 1764, including 20 years as director of the Round Tower and its observatory.
Although Peder's future as a fisherman seemed almost predetermined, as a child he showed significant skills in mechanical work, and at the age of 17, he was sent to Aalborg's Learned School to educate himself. In 1703, he was admitted to the University of Copenhagen, where he became a student under the astronomer Ole Rømer, who at the time was one of the leading scientists in the kingdom.
In 1711, he took over Ole Rømer's position as chief observer at the Round Tower Observatory, a position he held for 20 years. During this time, he made countless observations and invented a new method for determining geographical latitude. He also contributed to the reconstruction of the Round Tower after a devastating fire in 1728, in which most of his research and instruments were lost.
In 1764, Peder died after several years of worries and financial problems. He left behind 20 children, 13 of whom survived, including a son who took over his position as director of the Round Tower.
Peder Horrebow is therefore a fantastic example of how talent and hard work could elevate someone from the bottom of society to one of its great academics – even in a time when social mobility was otherwise nearly impossible.
