Tourism » Into Denmark

Birthday of HM Queen Margrethe II in Århus.

Apr 162011

April 16, 2011 Posted by Bart Westgeest Events, Tourism, Tradition No Responses »

The Danish Queen Margrethe II celebrated her 71^st birthday at the Marselisborg Palace in Århus today. This city is the largest city of the peninsula called Jutland. Normally the Queen celebrates her birthday in Copenhagen, which is about 3 to 4 hours away from Århus. Many people of Jutland therefore seized the opportunity to visit the Palace in Århus to wish the Queen a happy birthday.The field in front of the palace was open to the public and officials estimated that around 5000 people visited the occasion.

At 12:00 the Queen and HRH the Prince Consort Henrik appeared on the steps of the palace. Birthday songs where sung and people waved their flags and cheered, closely followed by the press with their large zoom lenses. They had plenty of time as the Queen and the Prince Consort returned twice to the steps to wave to the delighted crowd. After that people quietly left the area in good spirits.

The Danish television company TV2 has a video of the occasion.

Cities of Denmark: Silkeborg

Dec 042009

December 4, 2009 Posted by Daniela Lot Entertainment, History, Tourism No Responses »

The Commichau & Co.'s clothes factory. This publicity drawing shows not only the new body suit fabric, but also the steam boat Hjejlen, the new judge´s house, the railway, Silkeborg Windmill, Frederiksberg´s district, Ameliagade street with horse cart and the rural surroundings. Source: http://www.silkeborgshistorie.dk

Silkeborg was a small town situated in a big piece of nature until 1845, when the arrival of the Drewsen paper dynasty from the north of Copenhagen to the city stimulated its modern development.

Silkeborg Commichau & Co factory, 2008

One of the reasons that made the family establish their new fabric in the town was, naturally, its location by the lake Silkeborg Langsø, which should be the energy source for their paper production.

In 1877, the clothes factory Commichau & Co was established in Silkeborg near the new Århus-Silkeborg railway. This gave new impulse to Silkeborg´s industry and to the development of the city.

It is also at the margin of the lake Silkeborg Langsø, between the cities Silkeborg and Ry, that it is located the peak that once was considered to be the highest in Denmark: The Himmelbjerg.

Himmelbjerg

The place started to be popular in 1839, and in 1875 was there erected the Himmelbjerg Tower, which is open to the public during summertime. From both Ry and Silkeborg the visitor can take a sailing boat to the mountain – for more information, read “Himmelbjerg – the top of Denmark – almost“.

Back to Silkeborg, it is possible to visit the oldest building in town, the farm house from 1767, where is now the Silkeborg Museum. The permanent collection includes, for example, artefacts from the Stone Age early hunting societies, rock carvings of cup shapes and wheel symbols from the Bronze Age, artefacts and replicas from the Iron Age, including the

Tollund Man

Tollund Man (which was preserved by staying in a bog for 2350 years, until its discover in 1950, 10km west of Silkeborg), and some finds from the Viking Age and the Medieval Times.

For more information, check the museum site.

Some of the other attractions in Silkeborg are the Aqua Freshwater Aquarium, the steam boat Hjejlen, Jysk Automobilmuseum, Silkeborg Museum of Art, Silkeborg Bunker Museum and a few churches and monasteries. Here you can find more on attractions, accomodations, places to eat and active holidays.

Most visited places in Denmark: Den Gamle By

Jul 262009

July 26, 2009 Posted by Daniela Lot Entertainment, History, Most Visited Places in Denmark, Tourism No Responses »

Den Gamle By_entrance

It was 1914 when an open-air museum was ianugurated in the city of Århus. Back then, the so called The Old Mayor´s House consisted of a renaissance house, a small garden pavilion, a seven-stock renaissance house from Århus and a loghouse from the Kolding region. It was the beginning of the industrial society; the rapid growth of the cities and the need for more space lead to the demolition of old houses. To avoid the destruction of old Danish houses, the enthusiastic professor and translator Peter Holm worked at the creation of the open-air-museum. In 1923, Holm acquired eight houses from different periods that were about to be demolished in the city of Aalborg. He succeeded in taking those houses to Århus, where they were rebuilt. In 1926, five of those buildings were opened to the public and the name of the museum was changed to Den Gamle By (or The Old Town in English).

The Pharmacy

Nowadays, the 75 historic houses from different Danish cities stand on paved streets and alleys – the atmosphere of the museum is of an old market town from the 19th century. Among the houses the visitor finds a post office, a school, a theater, a custom house, 5 historical gardens, shops and 34 workshops, all of them furnished with original interiors. There is also a small amusement park.

The shops

The merchant’s house is one of the shops to visit in Den Gamle By. It is furnished as it would have been in 1864. Some of the goods are part of the exhibition, but some are for sale, such as spices, potato sausages, copies of blue kitchenware, chewing tobacco and traditional handmade sweets, including the liquorice wood (sweet wooden stick). Den Gamle By_ice shop

The other shops are the museum shop, the bookshop, the ironmonger’s, the market garden, the baker’s, the tobacconist, the stalls and the post office – when it is opened, the visitor can stamp his or her letters with Den Gamle By‘s own postmark.

The Modern Town

Aiming to show the townscape and life from the 1920s until the 1970s, Den Gamle By has been working on two projects. One will recreate the period from 1870 up to 1940, using some of the already existing houses in the museum and adding some others from the beginning of the 20th century. The other project focuses on 1974, and it will be a separate town quarter outside Den Gamle By, but connected to it.

***

For information on entrance fees, opening times and how to get there, click here.

(A list with the 50 most visited Danish attractions in 2008 can be found at visitdenmark.com)

Cities of Denmark: Skanderborg

Jul 212009

July 21, 2009 Posted by Daniela Lot Culture, Entertainment, History, Tourism 2 Responses »

Situated 30 km south-west of Århus, Skanderborg, with its 13.864 inhabitants*, is a city with nice spots for a cultural and active holiday.

Skanderup Church

Near the train station the visitor can find one of Denmark´s oldest churches. Build of chalkstone around the year 1050, Skanderup Church has a horseshoe shaped apse,

Apse, Skanderup Church

which has an unique architecture in Danish church building because of its chamfered edges and round arch friezes, as shown in the picture.

The church remained as the only building on a slope until the beginning of the 20th century, when the city of Skanderborg grew to its direction. In the 1960ies, its restoration uncovered some Romanesque wall paintings from de 13th century – to read more about medieval churches in Denmark and Romanesque and Gothic wall paintings, click here.

Going down the slope, in the direction of the old part of the town, the visitor finds Skanderborg Museum, which is located in a house from 1888 that once was the local judge’s residence. Some parts of the house date back to the old bailiff’s house from 1750.

The permanent exhibition is small, but rich. It shows the history of the town and the region, including finds from the Early Stone Age, with its highly specialised hunter population; the weapons and spoils of war of the Roman Iron Age; the fortification and neighbouring monasteries from the Middle Ages; and the history of Skanderborg Castle, erected during the Renaissance and, unfortunately, sold in an auction and demolished in 1767 when the need for a Skanderborg army unit was not necessary anymore.

Skanderborg Castle Chapel, entrance

The castle remains can be found at the end of the shopping street, a few hundred meters past the Skanderborg Museum. On the castle mound, the only building remaining is its Chapel, which has gone through several restorations, but preserves, for example, the wooden benches from the 16th century.

Located at the margin of Skanderborg Lake, the region is also attractive for its open-air activities, which include canoeing, golf, Denmark’s highest climbing point, cycling and boat tours. For more information, click here.

Skanderborg Lake

* January 2008, Statistics Denmark.

How to take the bus in Aarhus

May 312009

May 31, 2009 Posted by Bart Westgeest Tourism, Transportation 9 Responses »

(Edit: This post is updated on September 4th. 2011 to include the latest change of prices for bustickets.)

Public transport in Denmark is expensive but good. The art of taking a bus is not too difficult as the system is well arranged. Here is for example how it works in Århus.

Where can I buy tickets?

An new ticket machine in an Århus citybus. On the window a map of Århus with the different zones.

Tickets can be bought when entering the bus, either at a ticket machine inside the bus (for yellow buses) or by asking the driver (blue buses). Buying single tickets in the bus is more expensive however, so if you are planning on more than a handful of rides it is cheaper to buy a 10-trip card, which in Danish is called a klippekort. They can be bought at the busterminal, the trainstation, large supermarkets and in one of the many kiosks.

A "klippekort" machine.

When entering the bus you can klip your klippekort by entering it in the special machine that will stamp it with a date and time.

Tourists could perhaps consider buying an Aarhus-card for one or two days which includes free transport inside the city.

Locals who are planning to take the bus regularly could benefit from a card valid for a month, which in danish is called a periodekort.

What does it cost?

The price of a bus-ride is depending on the length. The city and municipality is divided into zones, so you pay for the amount of zones you travel. This is a link to a PDF file with a map of the zones in Aarhus. If you buy a ticket in the bus, then a travel within two zones (that is the entire city center) costs Dkr 20 (3,8 USD/ 2,68 Euro), 3 zones cost Dkr. 27 (5,15 USD / 3,62 Euro) and 4 zones (that is for example to villages outside the city) Dkr. 34 (6,48 USD/ 4,56 Euro – prices and exchange rates of September 2011). Each adult can have 2 children under the age of 12 for free. The ticket is valid for two hours, bus changes included.
A klippekort is sold for the amount of zones you want to travel, so there you will have to think for a second if it will be 2, 3 or 4 zones as prices for the 10-ride cards vary. As stated before it is cheaper to buy a klippekort if you want ten tickets or more.

See here for an overview of the prices in Danish

What bus should I take?

At each stop there is a list of buses that will stop there (each busline having a different number), together with an overview of each of the bus-stops along the route of the buses. The overview is basically based upon street names, so if you want to travel to a specific address it will help to know the name of the street you want to go to. People that enter the city by train can turn to the left when exiting the main exit of the train station for a large number of the yellow city buses that have their stops there. People who are looking for the blue regional buses should turn to the right when exiting the train station and walk a few hundred meters to arrive at the main bus terminal.

All information is also available on this page for the yellow city buses and on this page for the blue regional buses.

Yellow and blue?

In Århus there are two types of buses: yellow and blue. Prices are the same for both and the klippekort is valid in both types of buses.

Photo: Midttrafik

The yellow buses:

The yellow buses are the city buses. You enter them in the middle or the back (unlike in Copenhagen btw) and you buy your ticket at the machine or you klip your ride by klipping your klippekort. You leave the bus through the front door.

Photo: Midttrafik

The blue buses:

The blue buses are the regional buses. They have fewer stops in town and drive to the villages and cities outside Århus. You enter them at the front where you buy your ticket at the driver or klip your klippekort. You leave the buses at the middle or back.

All right, and how do I get off?

There are red buttons everywhere in the yellow and blue buses with “stop” written on them. Press them and the bus will stop for you at the next bus-stop. There is a special button for people who want to get off with a pram (there is often an open space in the middle of the bus) so that the driver knows that it might take some time to get off.

Anything else?

Remember that you can always ask the driver for information or help.

Final Tip:

If you zoom in long enough in Google Maps, you’ll notice blue bus-symbols on the map. Click on these and you’ll see which buses stop at that stop. If you choose a busnumber you’ll even see a timetable.

Here is an example:

View Larger Map

Most visited places in Denmark: Legoland

May 252009

May 25, 2009 Posted by Daniela Lot Entertainment, Most Visited Places in Denmark, Tourism 1 Response »

Miniland

Legoland is located in the city of Billund, near the first Lego factory. It is a themed amusement park, what means that the attractions are loosely based upon Lego´s bricks and sets.

Miniland is the world in miniature build of 20 million Lego bricks. It was the first attraction when the park was created in 1968.

The other rides and attractions are Legoredo Town, Imagination Zone, Adventure Land, Knights´ Kingdom, Duplo Land, Pirate Land and Lego City.

For a Park Map, click here.

On Legoland´s website you can find a good map with its opening hours, prices (where you can buy your ticket online) and how to get there. It is also possible to sleep at the park; check for its accommodations.

Lego History

The word Lego is the abbreviation for the Danish “play well” (leg godt), and it was created in 1934, a few years after the carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen started to manufacture miniature versions of his products – a way of minimalizing costs during the Great Depression in the beginning of the 20th century. From there came the inspiration to start producing toys, first made of wood, and later, in the 1940ies, of plastic. The Lego bricks resembled traditional wooden blocks that could be stacked upon one another, but the difference was that Ole Kirk´s plastic bricks could also be locked together.

The three generations: Ole Kirk Christiansen, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen and Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen (at Ole Kirk's 60th birthday 7th April 1951).

In the 1950ies, Ole Kirk´s son, Godtfred, became the junior managing director of the company and in 1977 Godtfred´s son, Kjeld Kirk, also joined the Lego Group Management, at the time when his father was the president of the company.

It was Godtfred´s interaction with other countries that gave him the idea of the “Lego System of Play”, which was released for the first time in 1955 with 28 sets and 8 vehicles plus additional elements.

In the same year, Lego started exporting to Sweden – the first country outside Denmark to import the Lego toys; in 1956 the first foreign sales company was established in Germany.

Today Lego products are on sale in more than 130 countries and approx. 400 billion LEGO elements have been manufactured since 1949. For other facts, check the company profile on the Lego website.

It was in 1968 that the first Legoland Park opened in Billund.

You can find more information about Lego timeline on the Lego website.

If you can´t make it to Legoland in Billund, you can visit the other Lego themed parks: Legoland Windsor in England, Legoland Deutschland in Germany and Legoland California in the USA.

Lego

Leg godt!

Source of the pictures: Legoland Press Archieve.

(A list with the 50 most visited Danish attractions in 2008 can be found at visitdenmark.com)

Most visited places in Denmark: Tivoli

May 152009

May 15, 2009 Posted by Daniela Lot Entertainment, Most Visited Places in Denmark, Tourism 1 Response »

Tivoli Gardens, entrance

Created in 1843, Tivoli, also called Tivoli Gardens, is located in Copenhagen, right in front of Hovedbanegården (the central station). When it was created, Tivoli was not intended to be located in the middle of the city. Its 15 acres were outside Vestport (the west port), but due to the fast growth of Copenhagen since the end of the 19th century, it was only until 1850 that the park was situated outside the city.

Its first name was “Tivoli & Vauxhall” which alluded to the Jardin de Tivoli in Paris (this one being named after the city of Tivoli in Italy) and to the Vauxhall Gardens in London.

Tivoli is the second oldest operating amusement park in the world, the oldest being Dyrehavsbakken (the deer park hill), or simply Bakken (the hill), also located in Denmark.

Tivoli Gardens, source Wikipedia

Tivoli’s attractions include the rides, which are divided into “wild”, “fun” and “kids”. Click the link “all rides” to watch videos about them.

Tivoli also has Music & Entertainment, including an Aquarium, a Concert Hall, a Glass Hall Theater, a Pantomime Theater and The Tivoli Boys Guards.

On the Tivoli website you can find information about food, prices and location & transportation.

For a map of the park, click here.

Tivoli Gardens became such a well-known and well-visited amusement park, that in Denmark the word “tivoli” is now often used for fairs, attractions and amusement parks. If you can´t make to Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, you can visit Tivoli Friheden in Århus or Tivoli Karolinelund in Aalborg.

By the way, there are, of course, other amusement parks in the country, like: Legoland in Billund, Fårup Sommerland in Blokhus, BonBon-Land in Holme-Olstrup, Djurs Sommerland in Nimtofte, Givskud Zoo in Give, Knuthenborg Park & Safari in Bandholm, Sommerland Syd in Tinglev or Sommerland Sjælland in Nørre Asmindrup.

Have fun!

(A list with the 50 most visited Danish attractions in 2008 can be found at visitdenmark.com)

Tourism Promotion

Mar 142009

March 14, 2009 Posted by Bart Westgeest Tourism No Responses »

The earlier mentioned “Visit Denmark” organization also provides videos for everybody who wants to advertise or just tell about Denmark. This sub-site is called ConsiderDenmark.com and it let people choose from different subjects to create a film. The result, complete with an introduction and a finishing “outro”, can then be downloaded in various forms.

This one about tourism is a nice and realistic one. It doesn’t boast about things that can’t be found in Denmark nor does it exaggerate the things that can be found.
I particularly like the catchy phrase: “A good holiday in Denmark is the sum of simple things”.

The Danish Weather

Mar 072009

March 7, 2009 Posted by Bart Westgeest Nature, Tourism No Responses »

The weather in Denmark is that of a maritime climate, meaning that there are no big differences in the country and that there are mild temperatures all year round. It isn’t very cold during the winter months and it is not very hot during the summer months either. Due to the warm sea that is always near, wherever you are in Denmark, the average temperature in the coldest of winter is around 0 degrees Celsius or 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Every winter there is a possibility of snow falling, but it rarely is much or stays very long. It can certainly happen that there is no snow at all during a winter.

On the other hand there is no guaranty for a sunny or dry summer either, although the average temperatures are pleasantly high (around 20 degrees Celsius/ 60 degrees Fahrenheit) and there is hardly a year without some weeks of bright sunshine during the summer.

A change of weather is common, so there can be many days with clouds, a shower, and sunshine competing in the sky.

Links:

The weather of today and the next 5 days.

The average temperatures in Farenheit.

Himmelbjerg – The top of Denmark – almost

Mar 012009

March 1, 2009 Posted by Bart Westgeest Nature, Tourism 2 Responses »

Although the name Himmelbjerg means “Heaven Mountains” and the peak was for a long time considered the highest peak in Denmark, it should not be confused with…. you know.. a mountain.
Even geographically spoken it isn’t considered one, as it is more the valley next to it that has eroded, leaving the hilly surface a mere 126 meter above the level of the lake in the valley. This lake itself is 21 meters above sea level, so there you go, the “Heaven Mountain” is 147 meter above sea level.

Yet there are hundreds of people visiting the site every year and it is said to be one of the most visited places in the landscape of Denmark. It’s popularity started in 1839 when a well known poet (St. St. Blicher) organized a yearly meeting at the mountain. Since then it has become an important part of Denmark’s identity because of its historical, natural and touristic value. There are several monuments on its top and the biggest of those is the tower from which one has a magnificent view.

The Himmelbjerg Tower

The 25 meter high tower was erected in 1875 and further decorated in 1891. It was build to commemorate King Frederik the 7th and the constitution of 1849. It is open to the public during the summer months and holidays. After a relatively serious climb up the stairs one has a good view over the surrounding hills and the lake.

Yet it is not only the view and the monuments that make a visit to the mountain attractive, but moreover the natural surroundings in a pleasant touristic environment.

A good tip could be to sail from the city of Silkeborg or the city of Ry to the mountian – how about doing so in a historical steamboat? -to arrive at the nice restaurant at the foot of the hill. After the climb one can enjoy an icecream or a drink at one of the small shops on top or one could even dine or stay at the hotel.

The whole surroundings is an excellent place to take longer walks in the forest so it can appeal to both experienced walkers and those that worry if they will make it to the top. There is a road to the top as well by the way.

This homepage (in danish) is made to get the most out of the “mountain range” in the lake area. I would like to mention it, not only because of the funny logo but also because of a small maps of the area that can be downloaded as a PDF at the pages with descriptions of the “mountains”.

So what is the top of Denmark?

As the title of this post suggests, the Himmelbjerg is indeed no longer considered the highest peak in Denmark. There have been many discussions about this issue and for many years it was either the Ejer Bavnehøj (170 meters high) or the Yding Skovhøj (both are not far from the Himmelbjerg) that got the title. Since 2005 the honor goes to the Ejer Møllehøj (170,86 meter high), that can be found a couple of hundred meters from Ejer Bavnehøj.

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