A Walk through Historical Arhus
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Port
Arhus, Denmark
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$79.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Discover Århus' heritage on a walking tour through the Old Town. Along the way, your guide recounts the city's history, from its founding sometime in the 7th century to the present day. Århus is likely the oldest city in all of Scandinavia -- its bishopric dates to the 9th century, and the city is mentioned in the Icelandic sagas.
Your first stop is outside Århus Cathedral (1190), eventually completed in the 16th century. It is Denmark's longest and tallest church, with interior frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries. Lübeck master Bernt Notke carved its 16th-century altar. You will have approximately 10 minutes here to visit the inside of the cathedral independently.
Next, you'll stroll through the Latin Quarter -- the city's oldest district. See the 18th-century merchant houses and courtyards that were part-dwelling, part-warehouse. It was here that the city's industrialization commenced -- a process that would bring Århus to prominence as Denmark's largest port and second-largest city.
It's a short walk to the Church of Our Lady -- once part of a Dominican monastery and built in the 15th century over the crypt of a Romanesque church (1060). Traces of frescoes line the walls, and don't miss the magnificent altarpiece by Claus Berg (c 1520). Walk down some of the many narrow streets and pass the AROS Art Museum, which dates back to 1859. However, its modern additions include the Rainbow Walk, opened in 2004.
Continue to the Town Hall of Århus, designed by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, in Norwegian marble. Your guide will introduce you to the life of Arne Jacobsen, whose furniture is quite famous around the world.
On the short walk back to the pier, you'll stop by the impressive DOKK 1 -- a new library and service center for the people of Århus.
Notes:
Inside church visit(s) may not be possible if religious services are being held.