Foreword

On April 1, 1998, Christiansfeld can celebrate the fact that it is 225 years since the foundation-stone for the town's first house was laid. The Moravian, ("Brodremenigheden" in Danish), town is therefore relatively young compared to other towns in Denmark. However, within this relatively short period, the town has become well-known, and Christiansfeld has achieved the rare distinction of being placed on the United Nations' provisional list of cultural treasures from around the world. If it is on the list it must be deserved. Christiansfeld is supposed to be the best preserved of the old Moravian towns in Europe, and the original part of the town has been conserved.
Today, the buildings remain as they were when the town was founded by order of King Christian VII in 1773.
With its foundation, a flourishing town arose, marked by the spirit and culture of the Moravians.
High quality boarding schools, together with a variety of cottage industries, tradesmen and craftsmen brought life to the town.
A forward-looking approach and an awareness of practical considerations were the characterising features of the town planners, at a time when formal planning of towns was a relatively unknown phenomenon.
Broad, even streets, spacious houses and green spaces characterise the town.
This is the background for the Moravians in Christiansfeld, a community described as one of the most unusual in Denmark. The town was founded in 1773 as part of the worldwide Herrnhuter community, both as a spiritual and secular enclave. In Denmark, the
Moravians have a status as an Evangelical-Lutheran self-governing movement, though at the same time they are affiliated to the "Unitas Fratrum" society, the worldwide Moravian organisation.

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