Sorø, city, western Zealand, Denmark. It is the home of Sorø Academy, a well-known Danish boarding school, resembling an English public (i.e., “private”) school. The academy was founded by Frederick II in 1586 in a former Cistercian abbey (dating from the 12th century). Its alumni include many Danish kings and princes. The magnificent abbey church, built by Bishop Absalon later in the 12th century, contains the bishop’s tomb and those of two 14th-century kings. The city was chartered in 1638. Sorø is surrounded by lakes and forests; its economic mainstays are wood and meat products and machinery. Pop. (2008 est.) city, 7,535; (2005 est.) mun., 28,336.