Big-Little Århus
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Århus,
Denmark |
Photo
by Cees van Roeden |
| Click
on the image for larger version |
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Copenhageners sometimes call Århus a provincial
town. Don’t believe it. The gentle snipe merely comes from the friendly
rivalry between Denmark’s two largest cities. Visitors to Århus
quickly learn the truth. This “big-little” city is full of
life and fun.
Start your day with a bit of history at the Viking Museum,
located in the basement of the Unibank. Why the bank basement? That’s
where construction crews unearthed the remains of Viking-era walls and
houses. The bank was built above the site and the fascinating museum is
below.
To trace the region’s history even further back
in time, visit Moesgaard Museum of Prehistory just five miles south of
Århus city center. There you’ll find Grauballe Man, a perfectly
preserved Iron Age corpse retrieved from an ancient peat bog. The museum
grounds feature Viking graves and a reconstructed stave church.
Den Gamle By (The Old Town) living history museum gives
you a taste of Danish life between the Renaissance and World War I. Within
the museum’s many historic buildings are workshops, a bakery and
a brewery that produces beer using traditional methods.
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Old
Town |
Photo
by John Somner |
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on the image for larger version |
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The Women’s Museum takes a unique look at history
through the eyes of women. The Danish Firefighting Museum features more
than 100 fire vehicles and hands-on displays for the kids.
Fans of modernist architecture must tour Århus Town
Hall, designed by Arne Jacobsen. The renowned Danish architect specified
every detail of the building, from its distinctive clock tower to the
wall-mounted ashtrays. Guided tours are offered in the summer season.
When it’s time to wet your whistle, visit the Ceres
Brewery and sample the locals’ favorite beer.
On the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town and the
adjacent Latin Quarter you’ll find some of the country’s most
innovative boutiques along with excellent restaurants and cafes. It’s
a fine place to relax and savor life in this spirited city.
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