{{Infobox settlement | official_name = Eskilstrup | other_name = | native_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = Town | motto = | image_skyline = Eskilstrup Kirke2.jpg | image_caption = Eskilstrup Church, Falster | image_flag = | image_seal = | image_map = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Denmark Falster#Denmark Region Zealand#Denmark | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_map_caption = Location on [[Falster]] | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[Denmark]] | subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Denmark|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Region Zealand|Zealand (''Sjælland'')]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Municipalities of Denmark|Municipality]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Guldborgsund Municipality|Guldborgsund]] | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | established_title = | established_date = | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = | area_urban_km2 = 0.88 | area_land_km2 = | population_as_of = 2025 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_urban = 1,093 | population_density_urban_km2 = auto | timezone1 = [[Central European Time|CET]] | utc_offset1 = +1 | timezone1_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] | utc_offset1_DST = +2 | coordinates = {{coord|54|51|22|N|11|53|07|E|region:DK|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code = | website = | footnotes = }}
'''Eskilstrup''' is a [[town]] some {{convert|12|km}} north of [[Nykøbing Falster]] on the [[Denmark|Danish]] island of [[Falster]]. As of 2025, it had a population of 1,093.<ref>[https://m.statbank.dk/TableInfo/BY3?lang=en BY3: Population 1st January by urban areas, area and population density]: The Mobile Statbank from [[Statistics Denmark]]</ref>
==History==
[[Eskilstrup Church]], built in the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] style, dates from the 12th century. In accordance with local tradition, it is painted red. It is best known for its [[fresco]]s, said to be Denmark's oldest.<ref>[http://www.danmarks-kirker.dk/lol_fal/eskilstrup_lol.htm Jens Kinkel, "Eskilstrup Kirke"], Danmarks Kirker. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 16 November 2012.</ref>
The town has grown up around Eskilstrup railway station, which opened together with the [[Falster Railway]] in 1872. The earliest buildings included businesses and hotels close to the station on the main street.<ref>[http://www.eskilstrupbeboerforening.dk/10308845 Ketty Lykke, "Historie om Ønslev & Eskilstrup"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906053523/http://www.eskilstrupbeboerforening.dk/10308845 |date=2013-09-06 }}, Eskilstrup By & Omegns Beboerforening. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 16 November 2012.</ref> The railway is now called [[South Line (Denmark)|the South Line]], with frequent train stops at Eskilstrup.
==The town today== Eskilstrup is conveniently located close to the [[European route E47|E47 motorway]] from [[Copenhagen]] to [[Rødby|Rødby Havn]]. It is also served by [[Eskilstrup railway station]], located on the [[South Line (Denmark)|South Line]] which links [[Copenhagen]] with the islands of [[Falster]] and [[Lolland]].<ref name=DSBEskilstrupStation>{{cite web|url=https://www.dsb.dk/kundeservice/stationer/eskilstrup/|title=Eskilstrup Station|publisher=DSB|language=da|accessdate=30 October 2023}}</ref> Facilities include a school, sports hall, day nursery, food store, and hotel. There are beech woods in the surrounding countryside, and it is not far to the coast. Some 300 children attend the local school. Local landmarks include the water tower, windmill, and sports hall. Nearby [[Ønslev]] benefits from the town's activities and services.<ref>[http://www.guldborgsund.dk/da/Borger/Tilflytter/Landbyportraetter/Eskilstrup.aspx "Eskilstrup"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102123833/http://www.guldborgsund.dk/da/Borger/Tilflytter/Landbyportraetter/Eskilstrup.aspx |date=2014-01-02 }}, Guldborgsund Kommune. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 16 November 2012.</ref>
==Attractions==
Eskilstrup is home to [[Danmarks Traktormuseum]] (Denmark's Tractor Museum), with some 200 tractors from the beginnings up to 1970.<ref>[http://www.traktormuseum.dk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=77&lang=da "Samling"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130212231903/http://www.traktormuseum.dk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=77&lang=da |date=2013-02-12 }}, Danmarks Traktormuseum. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 16 November 2012.</ref> Also in the neighbourhood is the [[Krokodille Zoo]], with Europe's largest collection of living crocodiles.<ref>[http://krokodillezoo.dk/index.asp?lan=en "Welcome to Crocodile Zoo"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130212233504/http://krokodillezoo.dk/index.asp?lan=en |date=2013-02-12 }}, Krokodille Zoo. Retrieved 16 November 2012.</ref> One of the region's oldest churches, [[Torskilstrup Church]], lies {{convert|4|km|abbr=on}} northeast of Eskilstrup.<ref>[http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Torkildstrup_kirke/Torkildstrup_kirke.htm "Torkildstrup kirke"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131101046/http://nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Torkildstrup_kirke/Torkildstrup_kirke.htm |date=2011-01-31 }}, Nordens kirker, {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 27 November 2012.</ref>
== Notable people == * [[Jens Clausen]] (1891 in Eskilstrup – 1969) a Danish-American botanist, geneticist and ecologist * [[Jørgen Hare]] (1923 in Eskilstrup – 2007) a Danish sports shooter, competed at the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] * [[Hjalmar Petersen]] (1890 in Eskilstrup - 1968 in Columbus, Ohio) a Danish-American politician who was the 23rd [[Governor of Minnesota]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140102123833/http://www.guldborgsund.dk/da/Borger/Tilflytter/Landbyportraetter/Eskilstrup.aspx Eskilstrup from Guldborgsund Municipality] {{in lang|da}} {{Commons category|Eskilstrup}}
{{Falster Denmark}} {{Guldborgsund Municipality}} {{Adjacent stations|system1=DSB|line1=R54b|left1=Nørre Alslev|right1=Nykøbing F}}
[[Category:Falster]] [[Category:Cities and towns in Guldborgsund Municipality]]