Arhus, Denmark

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as the see of a bishop, and it received its municipal charter in 1441. During the Middle Ages commerce, seafaring and fishing were of considerable importance to Århus. For a time the town played a part in the great herring markets in Falsterbro on Schonen, to which people came from the whole of northern Europe. In the 16th and early 17th C. Århus enjoyed its heyday, with agriculture making a major contribution. Trade spread to Germany, Holland and Norway and merchants from other countries also settled here. A number of well-preserved Renaissance buildings are evidence of the town's prosperity during this period.

From 1627 Århus had to suffer occupation by troops during the Thirty Years War and the wars against Sweden. After the town had recovered from the effects of the wars various industries became established here towards the end of the 18th C. In the battles for Schleswig (1848 and 1864) Århus was occupied by German troops. In 1902 the Crown Prince of Denmark, later King Christian X and his consort, were presented by the city with Marselisborg Castle.

Economy

The town has various industries. Textiles, machines and locomotives etc. are produced here, and there are also shipyards.

Culture

Århus, which boasts a university, technical college and conservatoire, is the cultural and educational hub of Central Jutland. Periodic exhibitions are mounted in the Art Gallery. The musical scene embraces folk, jazz, chamber concerts, operatic performances and church concerts. The Århus festival takes place annually in September and includes open-air events.

Topography

The center of the city is the port. Protected by breakwaters, it has five harbor basins (the quay being 9.5 km/6mi in length) and a fishing harbor. There is a ferry service to Kalundborg (Zealand). Some streets in the inner city - Sondergade, etc. - form a pedestrian zone. In the north of Århus are the educational establishments and in the south the popular amusement park, the "Tivoli Friheden".