Aalborg

Related Topics:
Aalborg_University

Aalborg is the fourth largest city in Denmark - after Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense - with an urban population of 122,794. It is the location of Aalborg Air Base, an important base of the Danish air force, and is the seat of a Lutheran bishop.

Railway connects Aalborg with Hjørring, Frederikshavn, and Skagen to the north, and with Aarhus and the lines from Germany to the south, as well as to Copenhagen in the east over the island of Funen.

History

Alborg traces its history back over 1000 years. It was originally settled as a trading post, because of its position on the Limfjord. The sites of what were two settlements and a visible burial ground can be seen on Lindholm Høje, a hill overlooking the city. The size of these settlements emphasise the significance of this place as a crossroads.

The first mention of Aalborg under its original name Alabu, is found on a coin dated to 1040.

During the Middle Ages, Aalborg prospered and became one of the largest cities in Denmark. This prosperity was further enhanced when in 1516 Aalborg was granted a monopoly in salt herring.

Aalborg received town privileges in 1342 and the bishopric dates from 1554.

During the German invasion of Denmark in 1940, the Aalborg Aerodrome was captured by Nazi paratroopers very early in the action. In fact Aalborg is said to be the first city ever to be captured by paratroopers.

Industry

Aalborg is a growing industrial and commercial centre, exporting grain, cement and fish.

It is home to De Danske Spritfabrikker's ("Danish Distillers") akvavit snaps, production facility for the distillation of the Aalborg family of akvavits consisting of 17 different brands. Danish Distillers is Scandinavia's largest producer and supplier of spirits for consumption, and is the world's largest producer and exporter of akvavit, supplying over 140 geographic markets.

It is also the centre of a growing telecomunications industry originating from the University of Aalborg.

Aalborg Industries - the worlds largest manufacturer of Marine Boilers - is headquartered here.

Architecture and tourist attractions

The old castle Aalborghus Castle (Aalborghus Slot) and some picturesque houses of the 17th century remain in the center of the town. The half-timbered (bindingsværk) castle was built in 1550 by King Christian III, and was converted to government administration offices in the 1950s.

Budolfi Church cathedral dates mostly from the middle of the 18th century, while Vor Frue Kirke (Church of Our Lady) was partially burnt in 1894. The foundations of both churches are from the 14th century or earlier.

There are also an ancient hospital and a museum of art and antiquities.

On the north side of the Limfjord is Nørresundby, which is connected to Aalborg by a road bridge, an iron railway bridge, as well as a motorway tunnel running under the Limfjord. Nørresundby is the site of the Lindholm Høje settlement and burial ground from the Germanic Iron Age and Viking times. There is also a museum on the site.

Aalborgtårnet. A tripod tower erected in 1933. The tower still gives an exquisite view over the fjord and the city from its 105 m rise over the sea level.

Carnival in Aalborg

The annual carnival takes place in the weekend of week 21 (usually the last week in may). The Carnival is actually three events, the childrens carnival (Børnekarneval), the battle of carnival bands, and the carnival itself.

During the carnival, Aalborg receives about 100,000 people. The childrens carnival is a carnival dedicated to the children, with performances and activities for children. Friday “The Battle of Carnival Bands” is an exciting and colourful evening with processions through the city when all the participating groups compete to be the leading carnival group.

The carnival itself is the following Saturday – on this day the city centre is full of life. The streets are filled with gaily dressed people who are in a real spring mood. In Kilde Park concerts are given from various stages all day to midnight. The Carnival ends with a grand firework display.

Twinning

Aalborg maintains cultural, economic and educational ties with some 25 cities around the globe, among others Edinburgh, Scotland. Thus, Aalborg has the most twin cities in Denmark. Every five years Aalborg gathers youth from the majority of its twin cities for a week of sports games, known as Ungdomslegene (The Youth Games).

Other information

The city is home to the football team Aalborg Boldspilklub, known as AaB for short, which competes in the Danish Superliga championship. The club won the Danish Superliga in the 1994/95 season and the 1998/99 season.

The city has Denmark's highest number of hairdresser shops, tattoo parlours, bars, nightclubs, pubs and solariums per inhabitant.

External links

Aalborg | Cities and towns in Denmark

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Aalborg