Culture of Alborg. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Aalborg's most important historical symbol is Aalborg Kloster Monastery. It is located in the very heart of the city among picturesque historic streets. The history of the monastery begins in the 15th century when it was originally founded as a homeless shelter. In the 15th century, Aalborg was one of the richest and most prosperous cities in Europe. The richest people from various countries lived in its central streets. Along with the growth of the city’s wealth, the number of poor people who didn’t even have their own home increased. One of the wealthy citizens, Lady Maren Hemmingsdatte, decided to found a shelter for the poor at her own expense. A shelter and a hospital for the poor were later opened within its walls. Since its foundation, the monastery has been an outstanding architectural monument.

Its appearance retains a lot of Gothic style elements. A church located on the monastery grounds features an equally impressive decoration. Original 500-year-old biblical murals have survived inside too. The monastery occupies a vast area, there are a picturesque garden and a fountain in its courtyard. Tremendous changes in the history of the monastery took place in the 16th century when it turned from a modest shelter into a prosperous organization. A farm, a mill, and even a small brick factory were built on its grounds. Currently, the entire area of the monastery is open for tours. A nursing home has been located here since 1953.

An equally interesting historical monument is Aalborghus Slot Castle, which is considered a unique example of half-timbered architecture. The construction of the castle took place in the middle of the 16th century. It was originally built for defensive purposes. Later, the castle was declared unsuitable for military purposes and converted into a royal residence. After its rebuilding, the castle has remained almost unchanged. Many elements of wood decoration have survived inside. Today's Aalborghus Slot is a large-scale architectural complex, on the territory of which many household buildings and structures of past centuries have been preserved. This castle is also available to the public. Besides historical exhibits collected within its walls, tourists are attracted by its picturesque courtyard with a landscaped garden. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

A famous local landmark is Jens Bangs Stenhus (Jens Bang's House), one of Aalborg's most recognizable and visited sites. The mansion was constructed in 1624 in the best traditions of the Dutch Renaissance. It was built by one of the wealthy local merchants for his family. For almost 400 years, it has amazed people with its facade's original design. There is an interesting story about the mansion. In the 17th century, its owner was eager to become a member of the city council. Despite the merchant’s financial viability, he was denied this privilege. In retaliation to the city authorities, he put an unusual sculpture on the facade of his house - the head with a stuck-out tongue. For over 300 years, the city’s oldest pharmacy has been operating on the ground floor of the historic building, and the halls on the upper floors have been used for official and solemn receptions.

Opposite the famous house is the Town Hall Aalborg Radhus. The very first town hall was built on this site over 500 years ago, but it hasn't survived to the present day. The building tourists can see today was erected in 1762 as a spectacular architectural monument in the late Baroque style. In recent years, the town hall has been used for official receptions and important ceremonies, and some of its halls have been reserved for art exhibitions and cultural programs.

One of the beautiful old buildings houses the Aalborg Historiske Museum whose exposition is dedicated to the city's cultural and historical heritage. This museum is the oldest in Aalborg opened back in 1863. Today, its walls keep a huge collection of various exhibits, including traditional costumes and household items, historical documents and archaeological artifacts discovered in the surrounding area. It is noteworthy that archaeological excavations in the vicinity of the city were resumed several years ago, so the collection of the historical museum is regularly updated with new exhibits. Be sure to visit the KUNSTEN Museum of Modern Art Aalborg, which presents modern works of art. The collection of this museum began to form in 1968.