A unique and fascinating attraction in Denmark is a handmade world map created inside a lake by a farmer named Søren Poulsen. According to reports, the idea began when he noticed a stone near Klejtrup Lake that resembled the shape of the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark. Inspired by this natural resemblance, he decided to recreate the entire world map within the lake itself.
Starting in 1944, Poulsen spent nearly 25 years carefully shaping continents and landmasses using rocks, soil, clay, and grass. Over time, he transformed the lake into a miniature version of Earth, where the oceans are represented by water and the continents rise as small islands. Some of the stones he used were extremely heavy, weighing over two tons, and were moved during winter when the lake surface was frozen.
The map was built with remarkable attention to detail and follows a rough geographical scale, allowing visitors to recognize continents and countries. However, Antarctica was not included, and some shapes were slightly adjusted to make the design more visually balanced.
Today, the site is known as the World Map at Klejtrup Lake and remains a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can walk along pathways and bridges that take them around the miniature continents, giving a unique experience of “walking across the Earth” in one place. Flags and markers help identify different countries, making it both educational and visually engaging.
What started as a simple observation turned into a lifelong project and a remarkable example of dedication and creativity. The world map continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, standing as a lasting tribute to one farmer’s imagination and patience in turning nature into art.
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