Aalborg

Aalborg is the fourth largest city in Denmark, situated by the Limfjord in Northern Jytland and it is a big industrial, commercial and educational center of the country.

The city was founded about 1000-1200 years ago.  The first mention of Aalborg under its original name Alabu (or Alebu “the dwelling place by the stream”) is found on a coin dated to 1040. Yet during the Middle Ages, thanks to its geographical situation, Aalborg was the most important harbour and a commercial center. Nowadays the city is famous for its food, textile, chemical, cement industry. Among the biggest enterprises of Aalborg one can mention Siemens Wind Power A/S, De Danske Spritfabrikker, e.t.c. Aalborg is a big seaport with developed shipbuilding and fishing. There are an airport, railway station, University of Aalborg( founded in 1974), and also air force base in the city.

One can feel the historical atmosphere of the city in his old streets and alleys. Near Vor Frue Kirke there are a lot of magnificent buildings many of which date back to the 16th c. Among the sights Aalborghus Castle, the former  city towncouncil,  six-storey Jens Bank`s House,  built in 1624 as an example of Renaissance architecture, the Budolfi Church are worth mentioning. A very special must-see is Lindholm Høje- a true burial of Vikings, located in the suburbs of Aalborg and a very important monument to the Time of Vikings.

Aalborg with more than 160 000 inhabitants is an attractive place for those who are fond of sightseeings with its numerous hotels, restaurants and various night life. In the center of the city there is an exact copy of famous Tivoli. Anyway it` s inferior in size to Copenhagen amusement park. The Aalborg Zoo that is the second largest Zoo in Scandinavia is located 4 km. far from Aalborg. On the north coast of Jutland there are the most picturesque beaches in Northern Europe.

In Aalborg the biggest carnival in Northern Europe is held annually where about 25 000 people take part and more than 100 000 spectators watch the performance. At the same time every person can take part in a parade.