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{{short description|Town in Central Denmark}}
{{About|the city in Denmark|the convention on public participation|Silkeborg Convention|the meteorite|Aarhus (meteorite)}}
{{Refimprove|date=May 2008}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement {{Infobox settlement
| name = Silkeborg | name = Silkeborg
| image_skyline =Silkeborgkirke.jpg | official_name = Silkeborg
| image_skyline = Silkeborgkirke.jpg

| imagesize = | imagesize =
| image_caption = | image_caption = View of Silkeborg church (built 1877), looking north-west
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| subdivision_type1 = ] | subdivision_name1 = ] ({{italic correction|''Midtjylland''}})
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| area_blank1_title = <!-- ] -->
| area_total_km2 = 864.89
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| population_total = 42910 | population_density_km2 = auto
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| population_blank1 =
| population_blank2_title = Gender <ref> The Mobile Statbank from ]</ref>
| population_density_blank1_km2 =
| population_blank2 = 25313 males and 26492 females
| timezone = ]
| population_demonym = Silkeborgenser
| utc_offset = +1
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| elevation_m = 31 | postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 8600
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 8600 | area_code = (+45) 89
| website =
| area_code = (+45) 89
| website = http://www.silkeborg.dk/
}} }}


'''Silkeborg''' ({{IPA|da|ˈse̝lkəˌpɒˀ|lang}}) is a ] town with a population of 51,805 (1 January 2024).<ref name=pop> The Mobile Statbank from ]</ref>
'''Silkeborg''' ({{IPA-da|ˈselɡəˌbɒːˀ}}) is a city in central ]. Located in ] in ], the city has a population of 42,910 (1 January 2013).<ref></ref> The development of Silkeborg as a modern city may be traced to the foundation of the paper mill by ] on the ] in 1844. The city is divided north and south by a lake, the '']'', which at the eastern side of the city, resolves into the Guden River ('']'').
Silkeborg is the seat of ], with a population of 100,747 as of 2024.

] has a population of 89,346 (2013).
The municipality is also a part of the ], which has 1.2 million inhabitants.<ref></ref>


Silkeborg is located in the middle of the ]ic peninsula, slightly west of the geographical centre of ]. The city is situated on the ] in the hilly and lush landscape of ], surrounded by Denmark's largest forest district and a great number of lakes. Silkeborg is also known as Denmark's outdoor capital. The lakes between Silkeborg and ] that are linked by the ], are known collectively as ''Silkeborgsøerne'' (the Silkeborg lakes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wikisilkeborg.dk/index.php/Silkeborgs%C3%B8erne |title=Silkeborgsøerne|language=da|website=WikiSilkeborg|publisher=Silkeborg Arkiv|access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref>
The city is divided along an east–west axis by the lake of Silkeborg Langsø, which at the eastern side of the city, flows into the Gudenå River.
__TOC__ <!-- force Table-of-Contents alongside images --> __TOC__ <!-- force Table-of-Contents alongside images -->


==Overview== ==History==
Silkeborg was the site of a castle, a monastery and a farming estate, established in the 15th century, some 6&nbsp;km from ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.silkeborgshistorie.dk/01-hist-01-ny-01.asp |title=The history of Silkeborg |website=silkeborgshistorie.dk
] ]]
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140308235209/http://www.silkeborgshistorie.dk/01-hist-01-ny-01.asp |archive-date=2014-03-08 |url-status=dead}}
]
</ref>
The city is notable for the large number of car dealerships located there, and the economically significant presence of the headquarters of ], Denmark's third largest bank.
The modern town grew around the Drewsen og Sønner ], established in 1844. Silkeborg Papirfabrik (Silkeborg Paper mill) was located near the ] River where Silkeborg castle once stood, in order to exploit the river as a source of energy for the mill, as a resource for paper production and as a means of transport. Michael Drewsen, regarded as the founder of the city, was responsible for the daily management of the mill. A statue of Michael Drewsen now stands in front of the old city hall in the town square.
A commission to establish Silkeborg as a trading centre was set up in 1845, and the site grew into a small settlement, from a population of 30 in 1844 to 556 in 1850 and to 1,204 in 1855. The City Council and the Parish were both established in 1855. The railway was built in 1871.
Silkeborg was given the status of ] (''købstad'') in 1900. The population was recorded as being 7,228 in 1901, and 8,792 in 1911.
During the ], the ] turned the Silkeborg Bad (Silkeborg Baths), which had until then served as the municipal sanatorium, into its Danish headquarters.<ref>, Hverdagen under besættelsen, Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref> The remnants of German bunkers can still be seen today, and one of these bunkers is now a public museum.

==Geography==
Silkeborg is located in the region known as ] (lit.: the lake-highland) in mid-eastern ]. The landscape consists mostly of lakes, extensive woodlands (such as the ]) and some of the highest points in Denmark, including ]. It is also one of the most expensive areas in Denmark in which to live, and the neighbouring village of ] is known for its particularly large mansions and lakeside villas at ].

==Economy==
For many years the paper mill (Silkeborg Papirfabrik) was the most prominent business in the city, but during the 1990s it suffered financial difficulties.<ref>, Silkeborg Papirfabrik, Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref> In 1993, the German corporation, Drewsen Spezialpapiere, bought the mill, but in 2000 decided to close it. An urban renewal project turned the industrial area closest to the city centre partly into a new commercial district with a hotel, a cinema, a concert hall, restaurants and cafés; and partly into a new residential neighbourhood with modern apartment buildings.

The city has a large number of car dealerships, and is also the headquarters of ], Denmark's third-largest bank.<ref>, About Jyske Bank, Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref>

==Main sights==
] ]]
]
* '''Silkeborg Museum''': The oldest preserved building in the city is Silkeborg Manor, constructed in 1767. This building is now Silkeborg Museum where the naturally mummified corpse of the ], who lived during the 4th century BC, is on display.<ref>. Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref>
* '''City square''': The old city square (Torvet) is the centre of Silkeborg and is together with the surrounding streets a pedestrian area. The city square is surrounded by the Hotel Dania (Silkeborg's oldest hotel, founded in 1848),<ref>, Hotel Dania, Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref> the ], and the city church (Silkeborg Kirke). On the city square, there are two fountains and the bronze statue of Michael Drewsen, the founder of Silkeborg. On Saturdays, the square hosts the city's weekly market.
* '''Hjejlen''': The world's oldest ]<ref>. Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref> ] is one of the tour boats that take off from Silkeborg harbor.
* '''Aqua''': The freshwater aquarium Aqua is one of the region's best-visited sights. In the indoor aquarium and outdoor animal park, fish and animals characteristic of Danish wildlife are on show to locals and visitors alike;<ref>. Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref> the main attractions being fish, birds, otters, beavers and racoons.
* '''Museum Jorn''': Silkeborg was the home city of ] painter ], and many of his most famous paintings can be seen at ].<ref>. Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref>
* '''Silkeborg Bad''': The former sanatorium, Silkeborg Bad served as headquarters for the Nazi German ] during World War II. A Bunker Museum is now located in the park and in the old sanatorium buildings houses an art museum. Many of the museum's sculptures can also be seen in the park for free. The natural spring, Arnakkekilden, is located in the park next to Lake Ørnsø. Danish brewery ] has used the water for bottled spring water for many years.<ref>. Silkeborg Bad. Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref>
* '''Himmelbjerget''': The third highest point in Denmark is called ] and is not exactly located in the city, in fact not even in Silkeborg County. However, it remains a sight closely linked to the city as tour boats all summer depart from Silkeborg Harbour.
* '''Lake fountains''': The fountains in Silkeborg Langsø are among the largest in northern Europe<ref>. Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref> and are a landmark of the city. Constructed in 1970 the fountains are actually built into the lake in front of City Hall. The fountains have a magnificent light show and after dark the water cascades change colour. The colour change is programmed to last 30–40 minutes.
* '''Indelukket''': The marina and recreation area Indelukket is located close to ], and is a popular spot for social gatherings over the summer months. There is a park, a restaurant and Denmark's oldest miniature golf course.<ref>. Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref>

==Yearly events==
* The '''SCC country music festival''' has been an annual event since 1986. The festival takes place in Indelukket during the second weekend of August.<ref>, Silkeborg country music festival, Retrieved 9 October 2013.</ref>
* The '''Riverboat Jazz Festival''' takes place the last weekend of June every year. The festival is not connected with a single location, but instead various stages can be found around the city, most prominently at the harbour and the city square.<ref>, Riverboat in Silkeborg, Retrieved 9 October 2013.</ref>
* '''Hede Rytmer''' (English: Hot rhythms) is an annual rock and pop festival held in Indelukket at the beginning of the summer. In 2011 ], ] and The Orchestra, the former ] played at the 3-day festival.<ref>, ''Midtjyllands Avis'', Retrieved 9 October 2013.</ref>
* '''Silkeborg Reggae Festival''', also known as Raggapak, was a reggae festival.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101193847/http://www.raggapak.dk/ |date=1 January 2009 }}</ref>

==Regatta==
Since 1899 Silkeborg has hosted an event called "Ildfestregatta", which means "fire party ]".<ref>, Gegatta, Retrieved 8 October 2013.</ref> The event is held once every three years. During the regatta the city streets are closed to traffic in the evening, becoming temporary venues where live music is performed, merchandise is sold from stalls, and an ] operates. The houses next to the ] River are decorated with colourful lamps, as are the many boats that enter the port at this time.]") is a historic steamboat that sails from Silkeborg to '']''. In the background can be seen the city's former paper mills, now home to the Radisson-SAS Hotel and other shops.]]

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 0:00&nbsp;p.m., there is an unofficial Danish fireworks championship. Each day, a different company puts on a fireworks display and the winner is announced on Saturday. On Saturday evening, the winner from three years before puts on a major firework show sponsored by the City Council. Nowadays the fireworks are fired from a huge raft on Silkeborg Lake just next to City Hall, however, in years gone by, the show was done from the roof of the old paper mill.

==Sports==
The two most popular sports in Silkeborg are football and handball. The city's professional football team, ], play in Danish football's highest league, the ]. The team has won the League Trophy once, in ]; the ] in ]; and the ] in ]. Silkeborg IF plays its home matches at ], renamed Mascot Park after the company ], a textiles manufacturer, which bought the rights to the stadium name. It is located close to the city centre and has a capacity of 10,000 people.


Silkeborg's professional handball team is ] (named after the three towns of ], Silkeborg, and Voel). The team is a part of the ], and plays its home matches at ], previously known Silkeborg Hallerne, a sports centre northeast of the city centre. The ladies handball team Silkeborg-Voel usually plays its home matches at Voel Hallerne about 10&nbsp;km from Silkeborg.
At the end of June each year, the city is home to the ].


The motor racing circuit ] is located about 5&nbsp;km east of the city centre, in Resenbro. The circuit is 2.3&nbsp;km long and was a part of the DTC, (]) and currently a part of the ] and the ].
The city is home of the ], who is kept in the ].


Silkeborg IF Cykling is a cycling club based in Silkeborg. In 2004, the club created an élite amateur team, called Team Designa Køkken. Its biggest accomplishment came in 2008 when rider ] won ] (i.e. The Tour of Denmark).
In 1944, the priest and playwright ] was shot by the ] nearby.


Silkeborg has a ski resort, with natural snow in winter, and also a nylon track that allows for year-round skiing. The ski resort is located in Gjern about 15&nbsp;km from the city centre.<ref>, Skiurlaub-Infos, Retrieved 11 October 2008.</ref> In March 2019, Silkeborg hosted the World Women's ] Championships.<ref>, World Curling Federation, Retrieved 18 March 2019.</ref>
During ] the German Wehrmacht (Army) had its Jutlandic headquarter at Silkeborg Bad, the city's former ] known for its curative spring waters. It is now a municipal art centre, where it is possible to visit the wartime bunkers in the grounds.


==Media==
Silkeborg was the home city of ] painter ], and has in addition to the above mentioned Silkeborg Bad art centre another art museum, the ] with its large ] collection.
Silkeborg is served by two media outlets; a newspaper and a radio station. The oldest of the two is the daily newspaper '']'' founded in 1857<ref name=jphus>{{cite web|title=Other Activities|url=http://www.jppol.dk/en/artikler/other-activities.aspx|work=JP/Politikens Hus|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215230834/http://www.jppol.dk/en/artikler/other-activities.aspx|archive-date=15 February 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> as ''Silkeborg Avis''. It is the sixth oldest newspaper in Denmark and was founded when the town of Silkeborg had only existed for 11 years. For many years the paper had its own paper press, but now it is printed at ]'s facilities.


''Midtjyllands Avis'' is now owned by the Silkeborg Avis group. This group is also the joint owner of the radio station Radio 1 (formerly known as Radio Silkeborg), a commercial radio station broadcasting online and on FM across central Jutland. The radio station tends to air a mix of pop music and local news. The sister station, Silkeborg Guld, tailors its programming for audiences interested in older Danish and English music, only interrupted by adverts. The newspaper and the radio station are both headquartered at Papirfabrikken.
Inspired by an Asger Jorn print in a band member's home in Dublin, Ireland, Silkeborg is now also the name of an Irish band<ref>http://www.myspace.com/silkeborg</ref>


On the 16th of August 2013 it was announced that Radio Silkeborg was to be handed over to the Radio ABC Group. As a consequence, five employees were made redundant, but programmes would continue to be broadcast on the same FM frequency.<ref>, Retrieved 17 November 2013.</ref>
Silkeborg has a ], with a nylon track so that one can enjoy going down the slopes all year round, and there is natural snow in winter.<ref>, Skiurlaub-Infos, accessed on October 11, 2008.</ref>


===Location=== ==Transportation==
* '''Road''': Silkeborg is connected by motorways to ], ], ], ] and ]. A new motorway was completed in September 2016 connecting Silkeborg to Aarhus and Herning. Regional buses to the surrounding cities depart from the train station. Local public transport includes 12 local bus routes serving the city centre and suburbs.
* '''Rail''': The main station, ], is on the ], with services currently operated by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gocollective.dk/station/silkeborg-station/|title=Silkeborg Station|publisher=GoCollective|language=da|accessdate=21 April 2024}}</ref> The former railway connections to {{rws|Horsens}}, {{rws|Bramming}} and {{rws|Langå}} were closed in the 1960s, meaning the city has been left with eastward and westward trains only.
* '''Water''': The ] River was for many years an important transport link for passengers and cargo, but passenger transport along the river is now only available for tourists during the summer.
* '''Airport''': ] (Karup Airport) is the closest airport, located 40&nbsp;km North West of the city. The airport offers several daily flights to the Danish capital, ].


==Notable people==
Silkeborg is located in mid-eastern Jutland. The landscape is dominated by big lakes, forests and some of the highest points in Denmark, including ]. It is also one of the most expensive areas to live in, and the neighbouring towns ] is known for its mansions and villas at the lakeside.
]
]


==Fireworks== === Arts ===
* ] (1878–1938), film director, screenwriter and actor in the silent film era
]") is a historic steamboat that sails from Silkeborg to '']''. In the background can be seen the city's former paper mills, now home to the Radisson-SAS hotel and shops.]]
* ] (1883–1965) Danish-Swedish designer, crafted objects from pewter and silver
Since 1899 Silkeborg has hosted an event called "Ildfestregatta", which means "fire party ]". Currently this event is held every third year. The last event was held on August 17–20, 2011.
* ] (1890–1949), variety artist and film actor in popular Danish silent films
* ] (1901–1983), painter and illustrator
* ] (1905–1941), landscape painter
* ] (1914–1973), painter, sculptor and ceramic artist; his major painting '']'' is in the ]
* ] (1930–2016), award-winning painter, textile artist and writer
* ] (born 1946), drummer with 1970s English rock band ], resides here with his Danish wife Hanna
* ] (born 1960), actor
* ] (born 1970), actress
* ] (born 1975), Danish–Faroese actor and singer
* ] (born 1976), comedian and magician
* ] (born 1977), radio host, known for his coverage of the ]
* ] (born 1981), singer, saxophonist and songwriter
* ] (born 1987), radio and television host
* ] (born 1991), DJ and record producer
* ] (formed 2006), pop band


===Public service, business and science ===
During this event, the streets are closed at night for 4 days in mid-August. There is also live music and an ]. It is traditional that the regatta starts on a].
* ] (1855–1935), pioneer in women's education, founded Th. Lang's School in Silkeborg
* ] (1867–1913), journalist, politician and children's rights advocate
* ] (1867–1928), physician and professor of ], won the 1926 ], but the basis of his prize was subsequently disproved
* ] (1869–1942), ], studied ]
* ] (1909–1944), sea captain and member of the Danish resistance to Nazi occupation
* ] (1948–2019), businessman, owner and founder of the ] retail chain, lived in Silkeborg from 1982
* ] (1940–2018), member of the European Parliament<ref>{{Cite web |last=Washuus |first=Dorte |date=2008-06-04 |title=Grundloven er værd at fejre |trans-title=The Constitution is worth celebrating |url=https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/mennesker/grundloven-er-v%C3%A6rd-fejre |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=] |language=da}}</ref>


===Sport===
In previous years, the fireworks started at 11:15 p.m. This changed with along the previous location of the display from Silkeborg's now closed paper factory. In 2008 and 2011, it was located in ], just across from the town hall buildings, near the lake's artificial springs which are sometimes illuminated. The reason for putting the fireworks at the new location was public safety and to make it more visible.
]
* ] (born 1964), former professional road bicycle racer
* ] (born 1971), professional golfer
* ] (born 1972), lightweight rower, has won five Olympic medals (three gold); Danish team flag bearer at the ]
* ] (born 1973), footballer, played 209 games for ], also served as manager
* ] (born 1980), professional road bicycle racer
* ] (born 1984), mixed martial artist
* ] (born 1984), cross-country mountain biker, Women's Cross-Country World Champion
* ] (born 1985), footballer with over 350 club caps, captain at ]
* ] (born 1987), footballer, over 280 club caps with ]
* ] (born 1988), professional golfer
* ] (born 1990), footballer, over 200 club caps with ]
* ] (born 1991), orienteering competitor, Junior World Champion in 2009
* ] (born 1997), professional footballer, 17 caps for ]
* ] (born 1999), professional road bicycle racer


==In popular culture==
==Notable people from Silkeborg==
* In the 1973 film '']'', the main character dons a number of aliases throughout the story. One of them is a Danish schoolteacher named Per Lundqvist, who claims to hail from the town of Silkeborg.
* ], pop band.
* In the opening episode of the sixth series of '']'' ] character receives an award for women in government, representing Silkeborg.
* ], actor.
* Inspired by an Asger Jorn print in a band member's home in Dublin, Ireland, Silkeborg is now also the name of an Irish band<ref></ref>
* ], cyclist.
* ], golfer.
* ], recipient of 1926 ].
* ], artist.
* ], singer.
* ], footballer and coach.


==Twin towns – sister cities==
==Notable mentions in popular culture==
Silkeborg terminated all its twinnings in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Silkeborg dropper venskabsby|url=https://www.midtjyllandsavis.dk/artikel/799a26cc-7252-4190-b416-ab2f37d1243b/|website=midtjyllandsavis.dk|publisher=Midtjyllands Avis|language=da|date=2016-09-22|access-date=2021-03-29}}</ref>
* In the 1973 film '']'', the main character dons a number of aliases throughout the story. One of them is a Danish schoolteacher named Per Lundqvist, who claims to herald from the town of Silkeborg.


==Friendship cities== ==See also==
*]
* {{Flag icon|Iceland}} ], ]
*]
* {{Flag icon|Norway}} ], ]
* {{Flag icon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} ], ]
* {{Flag icon|United States}} ], ], ]
* {{Flag icon|Poland}} ], ]
* {{Flag icon|Germany}} ], ]
* {{Flag icon|Sweden}} ], ]
* {{Flag icon|Finland}} ], ]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons|Silkeborg|Silkeborg}} {{Commons}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*
* *
* * – tourist information
*
*
*
* *
{{Wikivoyage|Silkeborg}}
*


{{Municipal seats of Denmark}} {{Municipal seats of Denmark}}
{{30 most populous cities of Denmark}} {{30 most populous cities of Denmark}}
{{50 most populous urban settlements of Scandinavia}} {{50 most populous urban settlements of Scandinavia}}
{{Authority control}}


] ]
]
]
] ]
]
] ]

Latest revision as of 17:59, 6 November 2024

Town in Central Denmark

Place in Central Denmark, Denmark
Silkeborg
Silkeborg
View of Silkeborg church (built 1877), looking north-westView of Silkeborg church (built 1877), looking north-west
Coat of arms of SilkeborgCoat of arms
Silkeborg is located in DenmarkSilkeborgSilkeborgLocation in DenmarkShow map of DenmarkSilkeborg is located in Denmark Central Denmark RegionSilkeborgSilkeborgSilkeborg (Denmark Central Denmark Region)Show map of Denmark Central Denmark Region
Coordinates: 56°11′00″N 9°33′06″E / 56.18333°N 9.55167°E / 56.18333; 9.55167
Country Denmark
RegionCentral Denmark (Midtjylland)
MunicipalitySilkeborg
Area
 • Urban29.5 km (11.4 sq mi)
Elevation31 m (102 ft)
Population
 • Urban51,805
 • Urban density1,800/km (4,500/sq mi)
 • Gender 25,313 males and 26,492 females
DemonymSilkeborgenser
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (Central Europe Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00
Postal code8600
Area code(+45) 89
WebsiteSilkeborg Kommune

Silkeborg (Danish: [ˈse̝lkəˌpɒˀ]) is a Danish town with a population of 51,805 (1 January 2024). Silkeborg is the seat of Silkeborg Municipality, with a population of 100,747 as of 2024.

Silkeborg is located in the middle of the Jutlandic peninsula, slightly west of the geographical centre of Denmark. The city is situated on the Gudenå River in the hilly and lush landscape of Søhøjlandet, surrounded by Denmark's largest forest district and a great number of lakes. Silkeborg is also known as Denmark's outdoor capital. The lakes between Silkeborg and Ry that are linked by the Gudenå, are known collectively as Silkeborgsøerne (the Silkeborg lakes). The city is divided along an east–west axis by the lake of Silkeborg Langsø, which at the eastern side of the city, flows into the Gudenå River.

History

Silkeborg was the site of a castle, a monastery and a farming estate, established in the 15th century, some 6 km from Alling Abbey. The modern town grew around the Drewsen og Sønner paper mill, established in 1844. Silkeborg Papirfabrik (Silkeborg Paper mill) was located near the Gudenå River where Silkeborg castle once stood, in order to exploit the river as a source of energy for the mill, as a resource for paper production and as a means of transport. Michael Drewsen, regarded as the founder of the city, was responsible for the daily management of the mill. A statue of Michael Drewsen now stands in front of the old city hall in the town square. A commission to establish Silkeborg as a trading centre was set up in 1845, and the site grew into a small settlement, from a population of 30 in 1844 to 556 in 1850 and to 1,204 in 1855. The City Council and the Parish were both established in 1855. The railway was built in 1871. Silkeborg was given the status of market town (købstad) in 1900. The population was recorded as being 7,228 in 1901, and 8,792 in 1911. During the German occupation of Denmark, the Gestapo turned the Silkeborg Bad (Silkeborg Baths), which had until then served as the municipal sanatorium, into its Danish headquarters. The remnants of German bunkers can still be seen today, and one of these bunkers is now a public museum.

Geography

Silkeborg is located in the region known as Søhøjlandet (lit.: the lake-highland) in mid-eastern Jutland. The landscape consists mostly of lakes, extensive woodlands (such as the Silkeborg Forests) and some of the highest points in Denmark, including Himmelbjerget. It is also one of the most expensive areas in Denmark in which to live, and the neighbouring village of Sejs is known for its particularly large mansions and lakeside villas at Brassø.

Economy

For many years the paper mill (Silkeborg Papirfabrik) was the most prominent business in the city, but during the 1990s it suffered financial difficulties. In 1993, the German corporation, Drewsen Spezialpapiere, bought the mill, but in 2000 decided to close it. An urban renewal project turned the industrial area closest to the city centre partly into a new commercial district with a hotel, a cinema, a concert hall, restaurants and cafés; and partly into a new residential neighbourhood with modern apartment buildings.

The city has a large number of car dealerships, and is also the headquarters of Jyske Bank, Denmark's third-largest bank.

Main sights

Old Town Hall
Lake Ørnsø
  • Silkeborg Museum: The oldest preserved building in the city is Silkeborg Manor, constructed in 1767. This building is now Silkeborg Museum where the naturally mummified corpse of the Tollund man, who lived during the 4th century BC, is on display.
  • City square: The old city square (Torvet) is the centre of Silkeborg and is together with the surrounding streets a pedestrian area. The city square is surrounded by the Hotel Dania (Silkeborg's oldest hotel, founded in 1848), the Old Town Hall, and the city church (Silkeborg Kirke). On the city square, there are two fountains and the bronze statue of Michael Drewsen, the founder of Silkeborg. On Saturdays, the square hosts the city's weekly market.
  • Hjejlen: The world's oldest steamboat Hjejlen is one of the tour boats that take off from Silkeborg harbor.
  • Aqua: The freshwater aquarium Aqua is one of the region's best-visited sights. In the indoor aquarium and outdoor animal park, fish and animals characteristic of Danish wildlife are on show to locals and visitors alike; the main attractions being fish, birds, otters, beavers and racoons.
  • Museum Jorn: Silkeborg was the home city of COBRA painter Asger Jorn, and many of his most famous paintings can be seen at the museum named for him.
  • Silkeborg Bad: The former sanatorium, Silkeborg Bad served as headquarters for the Nazi German Gestapo during World War II. A Bunker Museum is now located in the park and in the old sanatorium buildings houses an art museum. Many of the museum's sculptures can also be seen in the park for free. The natural spring, Arnakkekilden, is located in the park next to Lake Ørnsø. Danish brewery Carlsberg has used the water for bottled spring water for many years.
  • Himmelbjerget: The third highest point in Denmark is called Himmelbjerget and is not exactly located in the city, in fact not even in Silkeborg County. However, it remains a sight closely linked to the city as tour boats all summer depart from Silkeborg Harbour.
  • Lake fountains: The fountains in Silkeborg Langsø are among the largest in northern Europe and are a landmark of the city. Constructed in 1970 the fountains are actually built into the lake in front of City Hall. The fountains have a magnificent light show and after dark the water cascades change colour. The colour change is programmed to last 30–40 minutes.
  • Indelukket: The marina and recreation area Indelukket is located close to Museum Jorn, and is a popular spot for social gatherings over the summer months. There is a park, a restaurant and Denmark's oldest miniature golf course.

Yearly events

  • The SCC country music festival has been an annual event since 1986. The festival takes place in Indelukket during the second weekend of August.
  • The Riverboat Jazz Festival takes place the last weekend of June every year. The festival is not connected with a single location, but instead various stages can be found around the city, most prominently at the harbour and the city square.
  • Hede Rytmer (English: Hot rhythms) is an annual rock and pop festival held in Indelukket at the beginning of the summer. In 2011 Boney M., 10CC and The Orchestra, the former Electric Light Orchestra played at the 3-day festival.
  • Silkeborg Reggae Festival, also known as Raggapak, was a reggae festival.

Regatta

Since 1899 Silkeborg has hosted an event called "Ildfestregatta", which means "fire party regatta". The event is held once every three years. During the regatta the city streets are closed to traffic in the evening, becoming temporary venues where live music is performed, merchandise is sold from stalls, and an amusement park operates. The houses next to the Gudenå River are decorated with colourful lamps, as are the many boats that enter the port at this time.

Hjejlen ("The Golden Plover") is a historic steamboat that sails from Silkeborg to Himmelbjerget. In the background can be seen the city's former paper mills, now home to the Radisson-SAS Hotel and other shops.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 0:00 p.m., there is an unofficial Danish fireworks championship. Each day, a different company puts on a fireworks display and the winner is announced on Saturday. On Saturday evening, the winner from three years before puts on a major firework show sponsored by the City Council. Nowadays the fireworks are fired from a huge raft on Silkeborg Lake just next to City Hall, however, in years gone by, the show was done from the roof of the old paper mill.

Sports

The two most popular sports in Silkeborg are football and handball. The city's professional football team, Silkeborg IF, play in Danish football's highest league, the Danish Superliga. The team has won the League Trophy once, in 1994; the Danish Cup in 2001; and the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1997. Silkeborg IF plays its home matches at Silkeborg Stadion, renamed Mascot Park after the company Mascot, a textiles manufacturer, which bought the rights to the stadium name. It is located close to the city centre and has a capacity of 10,000 people.

Silkeborg's professional handball team is BSV (named after the three towns of Bjerringbro, Silkeborg, and Voel). The team is a part of the Danish Handball League, and plays its home matches at Jysk Arena, previously known Silkeborg Hallerne, a sports centre northeast of the city centre. The ladies handball team Silkeborg-Voel usually plays its home matches at Voel Hallerne about 10 km from Silkeborg.

The motor racing circuit Jyllands-Ringen is located about 5 km east of the city centre, in Resenbro. The circuit is 2.3 km long and was a part of the DTC, (Danish Touringcar Championship) and currently a part of the TCR Scandinavia Touring Car Championship and the TCR Denmark Touring Car Series.

Silkeborg IF Cykling is a cycling club based in Silkeborg. In 2004, the club created an élite amateur team, called Team Designa Køkken. Its biggest accomplishment came in 2008 when rider Jakob Fuglsang won Danmark Rundt (i.e. The Tour of Denmark).

Silkeborg has a ski resort, with natural snow in winter, and also a nylon track that allows for year-round skiing. The ski resort is located in Gjern about 15 km from the city centre. In March 2019, Silkeborg hosted the World Women's Curling Championships.

Media

Silkeborg is served by two media outlets; a newspaper and a radio station. The oldest of the two is the daily newspaper Midtjyllands Avis founded in 1857 as Silkeborg Avis. It is the sixth oldest newspaper in Denmark and was founded when the town of Silkeborg had only existed for 11 years. For many years the paper had its own paper press, but now it is printed at Jyllands-Posten's facilities.

Midtjyllands Avis is now owned by the Silkeborg Avis group. This group is also the joint owner of the radio station Radio 1 (formerly known as Radio Silkeborg), a commercial radio station broadcasting online and on FM across central Jutland. The radio station tends to air a mix of pop music and local news. The sister station, Silkeborg Guld, tailors its programming for audiences interested in older Danish and English music, only interrupted by adverts. The newspaper and the radio station are both headquartered at Papirfabrikken.

On the 16th of August 2013 it was announced that Radio Silkeborg was to be handed over to the Radio ABC Group. As a consequence, five employees were made redundant, but programmes would continue to be broadcast on the same FM frequency.

Transportation

  • Road: Silkeborg is connected by motorways to Aarhus, Herning, Horsens, Randers and Viborg. A new motorway was completed in September 2016 connecting Silkeborg to Aarhus and Herning. Regional buses to the surrounding cities depart from the train station. Local public transport includes 12 local bus routes serving the city centre and suburbs.
  • Rail: The main station, Silkeborg railway station, is on the railway line between Aarhus and Herning, with services currently operated by GoCollective. The former railway connections to Horsens, Bramming and Langå were closed in the 1960s, meaning the city has been left with eastward and westward trains only.
  • Water: The Gudenå River was for many years an important transport link for passengers and cargo, but passenger transport along the river is now only available for tourists during the summer.
  • Airport: Midtjyllands Lufthavn (Karup Airport) is the closest airport, located 40 km North West of the city. The airport offers several daily flights to the Danish capital, Copenhagen.

Notable people

Harald Madsen, 1930s
Alphabeat, 2008

Arts

Public service, business and science

Sport

Eskild Ebbesen, 2012

In popular culture

  • In the 1973 film The Day of the Jackal, the main character dons a number of aliases throughout the story. One of them is a Danish schoolteacher named Per Lundqvist, who claims to hail from the town of Silkeborg.
  • In the opening episode of the sixth series of Parks and Recreation Heidi Klum's character receives an award for women in government, representing Silkeborg.
  • Inspired by an Asger Jorn print in a band member's home in Dublin, Ireland, Silkeborg is now also the name of an Irish band

Twin towns – sister cities

Silkeborg terminated all its twinnings in 2016.

See also

References

  1. ^ BY3: Population 1. January by urban areas, area and population density The Mobile Statbank from Statistics Denmark
  2. BY1: Population 1. January by urban areas, age and sex The Mobile Statbank from Statistics Denmark
  3. "Silkeborgsøerne". WikiSilkeborg (in Danish). Silkeborg Arkiv. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  4. "The history of Silkeborg". silkeborgshistorie.dk. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014.
  5. , Hverdagen under besættelsen, Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  6. , Silkeborg Papirfabrik, Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  7. , About Jyske Bank, Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  8. Silkeborg Museum. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  9. , Hotel Dania, Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  10. "Hjejlen - Oldest steamboat in the world". Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  11. "Aqua". Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  12. "Museum Jorn". Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  13. "About Arnakkekilden". Silkeborg Bad. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  14. "Silkeborg Langsø fountains". Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  15. "Story of Indelukkets minigolf". Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  16. SCC official site, Silkeborg country music festival, Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  17. Riverboat Jazz Festival official site, Riverboat in Silkeborg, Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  18. Hede Rytmer 2011, Midtjyllands Avis, Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  19. Official website Archived 1 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  20. , Gegatta, Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  21. Skiing in Denmark, Skiurlaub-Infos, Retrieved 11 October 2008.
  22. Silkeborg, Denmark to host World Women’s Curling Championship 2019, World Curling Federation, Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  23. "Other Activities". JP/Politikens Hus. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  24. Radio Silkeborg closes, Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  25. "Silkeborg Station" (in Danish). GoCollective. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  26. Washuus, Dorte (4 June 2008). "Grundloven er værd at fejre" [The Constitution is worth celebrating]. Kristeligt Dagblad (in Danish). Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  27. Silkeborg
  28. "Silkeborg dropper venskabsby". midtjyllandsavis.dk (in Danish). Midtjyllands Avis. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2021.

External links

Municipal seats of Denmark
Capital Region
Central Denmark Region
North Denmark Region
Region Zealand
South Denmark Region
30 most populous urban areas of Denmark
as of 1 January 2022, according to Statistics Denmark, see table BEF44 at statbank.dk.
1.Copenhagen1,345,562
2.Aarhus285,273
3.Odense180,863
4.Aalborg119,862
5.Esbjerg71,698
6.Randers62,802
7.Kolding61,638
8.Horsens61,074
9.Vejle60,231
10.Roskilde51,916
11.Herning50,565
12.Silkeborg49,747
13.Hørsholm47,680
14.Helsingør47,257
15.Næstved44,331
16.Viborg41,239
17.Fredericia40,886
18.Køge38,304
19.Holstebro36,489
20.Hillerød35,357
21.Taastrup35,238
22.Slagelse34,636
23.Holbæk29,608
24.Sønderborg27,766
25.Svendborg27,300
26.Hjørring25,644
27.Nørresundby23,736
28.Ringsted23,086
29.Frederikshavn22,672
30.Ølstykke-Stenløse22,658
Note: The population figure for metropolitan Copenhagen includes Frederiksberg, Albertslund, Brøndby, Gentofte, Gladsaxe, Glostrup, Herlev, Hvidovre, Lyngby-Taarbæk, Rødovre, Tårnby and Vallensbæk municipalities; parts of Ballerup, Rudersdal and Furesø; Ishøj and Greve Strand.
50 most populous urban areas in the Nordic countries
1. Sweden Stockholm 1,605,030
2. Denmark Copenhagen 1,330,993
3. Finland Helsinki 1,268,296
4. Norway Oslo 1,019,513
5. Sweden Gothenburg 599,011
6. Sweden Malmö 339,313
7. Finland Tampere 334,112
8. Denmark Aarhus 280,534
9. Norway Bergen 259,958
10. Finland Turku 252,468
11. Norway Stavanger/Sandnes 237,369
12. Iceland Reykjavík 228,231
13. Finland Oulu 208,939
14. Norway Trondheim 186,364
15. Denmark Odense 180,302
16. Sweden Uppsala 177,074
17. Sweden Upplands Väsby och Sollentuna 149,461
18. Denmark Aalborg 140,897
19. Sweden Västerås 128,534
20. Sweden Örebro 126,009
21. Finland Lahti 119,068
22. Finland Jyväskylä 117,974
23. Norway Fredrikstad/Sarpsborg 116,373
24. Sweden Linköping 115,672
25. Sweden Helsingborg 113,816
26. Norway Kristiansand 111,633
27. Norway Drammen 109,416
28. Sweden Jönköping 100,259
29. Sweden Norrköping 97,854
30. Sweden Lund 94,393
31. Norway Porsgrunn/Skien 93,778
32. Sweden Umeå 90,412
33. Finland Kuopio 88,520
34. Finland Pori 84,026
35. Sweden Gävle 77,586
36. Sweden Södertälje 75,773
37. Sweden Borås 73,980
38. Denmark Esbjerg 72,398
39. Sweden Halmstad 71,316
40. Sweden Växjö 71,009
41. Sweden Eskilstuna 70,342
42. Finland Joensuu 67,811
43. Sweden Karlstad 65,856
44. Finland Vaasa 65,414
45. Denmark Randers 62,482
46. Denmark Kolding 61,121
47. Denmark Horsens 59,449
48. Sweden Sundsvall 58,807
49. Denmark Vejle 57,655
50. Finland Lappeenranta 55,743
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