Visit the "seven wonders" of Aalborg
If you're going on a trip to Aalborg, you should definitely treat yourself to an interesting city walk in the downtown area, which is packed with beautiful, exciting, and historical buildings. Join a guided tour around the city center.
One might be tempted to call them the seven wonders. When talking in the context of Aalborg, the seven buildings listed below are particularly beautiful and historically interesting. And they are all centrally located in Aalborg, so you can plan a short trip to walk around and see them all.
Jørgen Olufsen's courtyard
Located on Østerågade right by Nytorv, the beautiful half-timbered merchant's courtyard, Jørgen Olufsen's courtyard, was built in 1616 by Aalborg's then-mayor Jørgen Olufsen. He was the half-brother of Jens Bang, who built Jens Bang's Stone House, and Jørgen Olufsen's courtyard is considered one of Denmark's best-preserved merchant's courtyards from the Renaissance period.
Photo:Enjoy Nordjylland
Jens Bangs House
Jens Bang's House, dating back to 1624, is one of the best-preserved houses from the time of Christian IV. It was built by Jens Bang, who was one of the wealthiest merchants in Aalborg, and is constructed using flamboyant, dark red monk stones. Back then, most houses were half-timbered (and thus not built in stone) with the gable facing the street, making Jens Bang's house different and more exclusive in that regard. The house was also significantly larger than most other houses at the time, with its facade facing the main street. Additionally, Jens Bang's Stone House is inspired by Dutch Renaissance style.
Aalborg City Hall
Aalborg City Hall is a beautiful building dating back to 1762, constructed in the late Baroque style. The City Hall is centrally located in Aalborg's city center on Gammeltorv and served as the seat of Aalborg's municipal administration until 1912. Today, the City Hall is used for civil weddings among other purposes. The historic City Hall boasts being the smallest of its kind in the country relative to the city's population. Above the main entrance, you'll find King Frederik V's motto, "Prudentia et Constantia," which translates to "Prudence and Constancy."
Budolfi Church
Budolfi Church is the regional cathedral named after the English saint St. Botholphus. There was already a wooden church on the site around the year 1000, and a Romanesque church was built in the 1100s-1200s. In the late 1300s, the church was expanded and rebuilt in Gothic style using yellow bricks. In 1899-1900, the sacristy was added during a major renovation, and most recently in 1942-43, the church was expanded with a choir and chapel building. The spire itself was built in 1779 and has since stood as Aalborg's absolute landmark.
Photo:Destination NORD
Aalborg Monastery
Aalborg Monastery can be traced back to 1431 when wealthy Maren Hemmings donated the land to establish a hospital where the poor and sick could receive assistance. The current buildings date from 1434 but have undergone renovations and modifications several times - always with respect for the building's "spirit," resulting in the monastery being one of Denmark's best-preserved, featuring, among other things, frescoes from the 16th century. In addition to being a residence for nuns and monks, Aalborg Monastery has served various purposes throughout history, including as a cathedral school, a hospital, a Latin school, and as a meeting place for the resistance group during World War II, the Churchill Club. Today, the monastery is used for purposes such as housing for the elderly, guided tours, and events.
Photo:Lasse Bruun
Hjelmerstald
The picturesque street Hjelmerstald in the heart of Aalborg can be traced back to the mid-1700s - and was originally a horse stable. The area, which was located on the outskirts of what was then southern Aalborg, was built for the city's many horses. Today, Hjelmerstald, located as a side street to the pedestrian street Algade, is part of Aalborg's city center. The small, enchanting, colorful, and particularly beautiful old houses serve as a model for urban preservation and are now a highly desirable residential area where it's hard not to peek through the windows.
Photo:Presse
Aalborghus Castle
Aalborghus is a half-timbered castle located in beautiful, green surroundings near the waterfront in Aalborg. The castle was built by Christian III in the years 1539 to 1555 and is Denmark's only preserved accounting castle - the main seat for the king's bailiffs in Northern Jutland. Visitors can walk through the castle park and see Aalborghus from the outside all year round. During the summer months, it is also possible to visit the dungeon and the casemates - a stark contrast to the otherwise idyllic setting with moats and beautiful landscaping.
Digital city walks
If you want to be guided around Aalborg through your mobile phone, you can download the StoryHunt app and access a range of city walks, including "Historical Aalborg," "Aalborg for Kids," and "Aalborg's Street Art."