Aalborg

Aalborg or Alborg is the fourth-largest city in Denmark - after Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense - with an urban population of 121,540 (2006). The earliest settlements date back to around 700 AD. Its location by the Limfjord made it an important harbour during the Middle Ages and an industrial centre later. Today the city is in a transition from a working-class, industrial city to a knowledge-based one. One of the driving forces in the transition is the University of Aalborg, founded in 1974. It is the location of Aalborg Air Base, an important base of the Danish air force, and is the seat of a bishop within the Danish National Church. Aalborg 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. An alternative spelling is Alebu and an approximate translation of the name is The (dwelling) place by the stream. 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 German paratroopers very early in the action and Aalborg is said to be the first city ever to be captured by paratroopers. The aerodrome was crucial for German aircraft to be able to reach Norway. One of the most popular and famous streets in Aalborg, maybe even in Denmark and parts of Norway, Sweden and Germany is Jomfru Ane Gade, or simply just "Gaden" (The Street). The name translates to "Virgin (or Miss) Anne's Street" in English.

The pubs and restaurants on this street offer beer and other spirits for some of the most competitive prices in Denmark. Jomfru Ane Gade is a café and restaurant street during day and at night turns into clubs, discos and bars. During the 90s the street was infamous for being a hang out of two biker gangs who were at war for some years all over Scandinavia. But as the bikers disappeared from the street it became even more popular among all ages. During the day tourists and employees in the city uses the street as a restaurant street, in the afternoon some of the cafés open. Around 11 pm the mood of the street changes into more of a party street where the younger people show up. Even during the workdays there is a fairly large crowd in the street, but during weekends it is hard to make the way through the enormous crowds. Graphic Sourced with thanks from ZETNET.co.uk

5 °C


Rain, light rain (0.44 mm last hour)


Wind6.69 m/s
Cloudiness100 %
Temperature (min/max)5/5 °C
Pressure985 hpa
Humidity87 %
Last update: 22 Dec 2024 @ 14:45

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