Elleore

Elleore is probably the best known island in the fjord, partly because Denmark’s first feature film, The Lion Hunt, was made here in 1907, and partly because Elleore is the smallest kingdom in the world, with a long and glorious history, a large court and much more. You can read all about it on Elleore’s home page.

Elleore from the north west. Note the ‘capital’, Maglelille. Veddelev in the background.


The filming of Denmark’s first feature film, The Lion Hunt, in 1907.


Present day inhabitants.

The island’s natural history has also long been studied. In 1686 botanist Peder Kylling published a work entitled `Viridarium Danicum´, in which he mentions pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium).

Botanists Ole Borchius and Peder Kylling in 1686



Dittander roots can survive the winter .

At that time Elleore was the only place in the area where this plant grew, and it still is, with very few exceptions. The fact that a plant has survived as an endemic species for over 300 years says something about how undisturbed nature has been on these small islets.


Dittander flowering on Elleore in early July.

The bird life on Elleore is also rich. There is a large and stable colony of mute swans, with about 50 pairs, and a herring gull colony of about 200 pairs. In addition to this, almost all the bird species on the fjord breed on the island. We have therefore used it as a reference island during the 25 years’ observation which forms the basis of this website.

The mute swan colony on Elleore.