Stevns is a municipality in Region Sjælland on the southeast coast of the island of Zealand in south Denmark. The municipality covers an area of, and has a population of 22,782. The municipality covers most of Stevns Peninsula. The third largest town and the site of its municipal council is the town of Hårlev. On 1 January 2007 Stevns municipality, as the result of Kommunalreformen, merged with Vallø municipality to form an enlarged Stevns municipality.
The town of Store Heddinge came into existence during the 13th century, and Saint Katharina Church is also from that time. The town received privileged status as a merchant town in 1441. A Latin preparatory school was founded in the town in 1620, but was closed down in 1739.
Attractions
The area is known for its white chalk cliffs, which are quite rare in Denmark. Stevns Klint, a popular tourist attraction, is one of these. The old town church by the small village of Højerup collapsed partially over the cliffs in 1928 due to erosion. The cliffs at Højerup are also the place where the father-and-son team of scientists Luis and Walter Alvarez measured the highest level of iridium in the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary layer, which led them to propose their hypothesis that the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event was caused by an impact of a large asteroid66 million years ago. By 2014 Stevns Klint was listed on UNESCOList of World Heritage Sites in Northern Europe. In 2008 the Cold War Museum Stevns Fortress opened to the public. It features a large exhibition of military equipment and a 1.5-hour guided tour in the large underground system of the fortress. The underground system of the fortress features of tunnels, living quarters, command centers, hospital and even a chapel. And in addition two ammunition depots for its two cannons. The tunnels are below surface excavated in the chalk of Stevns. This top secret fortress was built in 1953 and remained operational until 2000. Stevns is also home to Elverhøj, while not much of an attraction, it is famous for the fairy taleThe Elf Mound by H.C. Andersen and the Danish national play Elves' Hill, both of which in Danish share the name Elverhøj.
Notable people of the wider Municipality
Peder Syv a Danish philologist, folklorist and parish priest at Hellested from 1664 until 1702
Berte Skeel a Danish noble, philanthropist and estate owner, she owned Selsø Manor
