Skagen Attractions
Jutland
Skagen, the northernmost town in Denmark, lies at the northern tip of Jutland. On the far side of this popular seaside resort the Grenen Promontory stretches far out into the sea. Some years ago the remains of a shipwreck were found here.
History
Archaeological finds have established that the site was populated in the Stone and Bronze Ages.
Skagen, the northernmost town in Denmark, lies at the northern tip of Jutland. On the far side of this popular seaside resort the Grenen Promontory stretches far out into the sea. Some years ago the remains of a shipwreck were found here.
History
Archaeological finds have established that the site was populated in the Stone and Bronze Ages.
|
Must-see attractions nearby:
|
In the Middle Ages Old Skagen (Gammel Skagen or Hojen) had a settlement on the coast facing the Skagerrak, but it was not until later that the Kattegat coast was also populated. The houses were scattered among the dunes. In 1413 the town received its charter, when the principal occupation was fishing. From the 17th to the early 19th C. storms and flooding caused great damage in Skagen. In the second half of the 19th C. an artists' colony, with Danes predominating, settled in the town. In 1858 a new lighthouse, 46m/151ft high, was brought into use near Grenen. The railroad came to the town in 1890.
Related Attractions
Read More
Skagen Museum
The Skagen Museum displays works by artists from a variety of European countries, all of whom have had some connection with the town.
Drachmanns Hus
Near the Open-air Museum of Skagen stands "Drachmanns Hus", the house in which the Danish author Holger Drachmann (1846-1908), also a member of the artists' colony, spent his twilight years.
Eagle Sanctuary
15 km/9.5mi southwest of Skagen, on the road between Tversted and Ålbæk, lies an Eagle Sanctuary. In the spring and summer visitors can watch golden eagles being fed and sea eagles demonstrating their aerial skills.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Lange Maren
3km/2mi west of the town the visitor will come upon the "Lange Maren", the tower of the former St Laurence's Church. In 1775 the church was enveloped by sand and the parishioners had great difficulty in getting to it; in 1795 it was closed by royal decree. In 1810 the nave was torn away, and only the tower remained standing.
Råbjerg Mile
To the south of Skagen lies a large area of dunes, heathland and plantations. The most impressive natural phenomenon in this region is the Råbjerg Mile, a 41m/135ft high shifting dune which moves annually a distance of 8-10m/26-33ft to the east, burying any vegetation in its wake; the dune is legally protected. There are two paths leading to the dune; one starts from the entrance to the Bunken campsite, the other from a small picnic area near Råbjergvej.
Skagen Festival
This annual festival takes place in the last week in June and includes open-air concerts, as well as prawn stalls. The repertoire includes rock, folk and jazz as well as other styles of contemporary music.
Skegan - Townscape
Skagen is characterized by low, yellow-painted early 19th C. houses. A stroll round both Skagen and Gammel Skagen will be most interesting. Every morning a fish auction is held in the auction hall at the harbor.
