Aalborg is Denmark's fourth largest city with an urban population of 136,000. The earliest Viking settlements date to around 700 AD. It was originally settled as a trading post because of its position on the Limfjord.
The Budolfi Cathedral was built in the last decades of the 14th century. Originally Catholic, it became a Lutheran Church after the Protestant Reformation.
Below is the Aalborg Post Office. On the tower about midway down, notice the 27 boxes. These were used for homing pigeons until 1960 at which time they were covered over.
The Hospital of the Holy Ghost is a former monastery of the Order of the Holy Ghost and was the hospital of Aalborg from 1431 to 1953. It is one of Denmark's best preserved medieval establishments and the oldest social institution in Denmark. For 300 years, the grammar school of Aalborg was also located in the buildings. During the Second World War, Denmark's first resistance group, the Churchill Club, was established here. Today, the buildings contain a retirement home with independent apartments for the elderly.
The Old City Hall was built in 1762 and served as city hall until 1912. Now, it is only used for celebrations such as weddings and representative purposes.
Jens Bang's House was built in 1624 in Dutch Renaissance style. It is said to be the finest privately owned Renaissance building in the country. The five-story building has housed the city's oldest pharmacy for more than 300 years.
Originally built as a fortification by King Christian III in the 1500’s, the Alborghus Castle is an example of a half-timbered architecture.
Aalborg is proud of its Viking heritage. Before the end of our tour, we gathered for a brief demonstration which included a beverage and food tasting. When I went to take a picture of this fellow, he was posing nicely. Then, just before I pressed the shutter button on my camera, he suddenly gave me his growling Viking pose. Of course, I jumped and am amazed I got the picture.
The Royal Customs House was built in 1902. Since 1556, the custom house of Aalborg was located where the Royal Customs House is now. The circular structures in front of the customs house are fountains that also play music.
In 2008, the Utzon Center was dedicated to its architect, Jørn Utzon. Born in Aalborg, his most famous design was the Sydney Opera House. This cultural center is designed to look like waves.
We have rough seas tonight as we make our way to Stavanger, Norway. We have had such perfect weather for the past 11 days, but our luck may be changing in Norway.
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