Holstebro Tourist Attractions
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JutlandHolstebro is an old commercial and industrial town on the Storå in northwest Jutland. It is the center of a rural catchment area, with a technical college, museums and theater. A laser sculpture is particularly worthy of note.HistoryThe town, first mentioned in 1274, grew up at the place where there was a crossing over the Storå River at a confluence of a number of roads. The oldest recorded municipal privileges date from 1552, and in the 16th C. merchants from Holstebro traded with the Netherlands. The 17th C. saw an economic decline, but in the 19th C. came a resurgence of industrial activity, aided by the extension of the port in Struer, a new road system and rail link as well as the setting up of various industries.The town of Holstebro is renowned for its specialty shops and department stores.
Holstebro Market Place
Around the Store Torv (Market Place), set in the center of Holstebro, the roads form a pedestrian precinct with shopping streets and specialist shops. The fountains and works of contemporary art are impressive; these include the sculptures "Woman on a Cart", by Alberto Giacometti, erected in 1966 in front of the Old Town Hall and, further northwards in Norregade, "Water Art" ("Vandkusten") by Helge Bertram (1975), a high stone wall surrounded by water basins. South of the Market Place, by the River Storå, lies Red Square (Rode Plads) with a fountain which was unveiled in 1977.
Museum of Art
In 1992 a museum was opened at Herningvej 1, which now houses the Holstebro Museum of Art - with its adjoining Sculpture Park - and the Holstebro Museum. The Museum of Art exhibits Danish painting and sculpture, including works by Henry Heerup, Laurits Hartz and Ejler Bille, as well as international prints of the 20th century and collections of non-European art, including pre-Columbian ceramics from Peru, porcelain from Thailand and Cambodia as well as African art.
Holstebro Museum
The Holstebro Museum boasts a variety of historical collections; these include Viking and medieval finds as well as silver cutlery, pipes and cigars, dolls and pewter figures.The museum houses articles from the Bronze, Stone and Iron ages, as well as the Viking era.
Dragoon and Freedom Museum
Allied to the Holstebro Museum is the Dragoon and Freedom Museum. It exhibits historical documents about the local regiment of Dragoons, uniforms etc., as well as exhibits relating to the Danish Resistance Movement during the Second World War.
Historic Weapon Collection
Weapons from 30 countries and dating from the 18th and 19th C. are contained in the Historic Weapons Collection at Sonderlandsgade 8 in Holstebro; this collection also includes literature, weapons etc. from the period of German occupation and Danish Resistance (1940-45).
Nørreland Church
On Doesvej, north of Holstebro's town center, stands Nørreland Church (consecrated in 1969), a building designed by the architects Inger and Johannes Exner. The church is circular in form so that the congregation and minister can gather round the altar and font. Near the main building is a steel mast supporting the belfry. There are 44 bronze bells which can be operated both manually and electronically.
Nielsen and Holm-Moller Museum of Art
Near Norreland church in Hosstebro, at Norrebrogade 1, can be found the Jens Nielsen and Olivia Holm-Moller Museum (Jens Nielsen og Olivia Holm-Moller Museet), which was also designed by Inger and Johannes Exner. As well as works by Nielsen and Holm-Moller the museum contains paintings by Kirsten Lundsgaardvig and sculptures by Niels Helledie. Jens Nielsen's studio can also be seen
Nørre Vosborg Mansion
Some 18 km/11 mi west of Holstebro lies the village of Vemb, and not far south from there the Mansion of Nørre Vosborg. At one time it was ringed with walls for protection both from attack and from floods. The main building is of four wings, with the oldest part dating back to 1552.About 1780 the property came into the possession of the merchant Peder Tang, a former servant who had come into money; he built the Classical gatehouse and a courtyard with a bell-tower, based on the Dutch model. In 1859 Hans Christian Andersen was a guest here.
