The (not so mean) Street(s) of Aalborg

5th October 2012

Driving into Aalborg was fairly underwhelming, but then, being pretty has never really been Aalborg's first priority. 

As Denmark's most northerly main city and port, Aalborg has been a centre of trade and industry for over 1000years, starting with the Vikings. There is actually a Viking burial ground near the city were over 700 distinct remains have been found. The city developed rapidly through oceanic trade, particularly after 1516 when they won the Danish equivalent of the lottery - the city was granted exclusive rights to fish salt-water herring. And in early Denmark, that pretty much makes you the sole food provider for the nation.

Jomfru Ane Gade, or Virgin Ane's Steet, is one of Aalborg's biggest attractions. By day, adorable cafes and boutiques line the streets and an artsy student crowd flocks to while away the day. By night, there is a transformation - and a name change. After darkness, the cafes and restaurants disappear and a number of pubs, clubs and seedy fast food places take their place, and the Virgin Ane disappears - the area is renamed "The Street". I'll let you imagine why. 

Also, Danes are yet to find an occasion that can't be celebrated with a Danish flag.
Birthdays - check.
Christmas - check.
Wildly drunk nights out - check. 

There are a couple of other "iconic" sights in Aarlborg - the Budolfi Cathedral, Town Square, City Hall and another monastery. I swear I have tried *so* hard to find exciting/hilarious stories about these, but I've come up completely blank... so just admire the photos and we can move on.

Budolfi Church

Budolfi Church

Budolfi Church by night

The town square

I think this is the outside of the monastery for the cathedral. 

Easily the best bit of Aalborg was this adorable little street. All of the houses are in original condition, right down to plates on the doors which state every resident of each property, some dating back to the 1700s. 

The door to the oldest house in the street. 

Right there is some quality worksmanship

It's amazing the difference that sun can make to a location though - we only spent a day in Aalborg, but just before we left the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, and bam! Suddenly Aalborg was pretty!

This photo has nothing to do with anything (other than that it was raining miserably the entire time that we were wandering around), but I really like the way it turned out.