Holbæk

Holbæk
June 2007 aerial photograph
Seal
Holbæk Location in Denmark
Coordinates: 55°42′56″N 11°43′21″E / 55.71556°N 11.72250°E / 55.71556; 11.72250Coordinates: 55°42′56″N 11°43′21″E / 55.71556°N 11.72250°E / 55.71556; 11.72250
Country	Denmark
Region	Zealand (Sjælland)
Municipality	Holbæk
Area
• City	578.7 km2 (223.4 sq mi)
Elevation	11 m (36 ft)
Population (2015)
• City	26,961
• Density	47/km2 (120/sq mi)
• Metro	69,548
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	4300
Area code(s)	(+45) 00
Website	www.holbaek.dk

Holbæk is a town in Denmark and the seat of Holbæk municipality with a population of 26,961 (1 January 2015). The city is located in the northeastern part of Region Sjælland, Denmark.

Holbæk is on Zealand, on the banks of Holbæk Fjord, an inlet of the larger Isefjord. Holbæk is a commercial and industrial center for the surrounding area. By rail, Holbæk is served by Danske Statsbaner's line from Roskilde to Kalundborg, which runs through the city. Vestsjællands Lokalbaner connects Holbæk by rail to Nykøbing Sjælland. The city serves as a major hub for the Movia bus routes. Holbæk has an active commercial seaport that serves as the harbor for the ferry to Orø (island). Near the harbor there is a substantial marina.

Holbæk is first mentioned in official documents in Absalon's letter of June 8, 1199, in which he granted the majority of his estates to Sorø Klosterkirke in Sorø. It was called Holbækgaard, a larger farm belonging to a nobleman, around which the city would eventually develop.

Holbæk clearly grew from then on but is not mentioned again until around 1400 when Margaret I came for a court proceeding that granted her territories in Jutland. The event may have triggered the creation of the first city seal which shows the three trees by the water that are the prominent features of the current seal.

Companies headquartered in Holbæk include Sparekassen Sjælland.