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Viborg
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For a long time the junction of the major roads across Jutland,
VIBORG
was once one of the most important communities in the country. From Knud in 1027 to Christian V in 1655, all Danish kings were crowned here, and until the early nineteenth century the town was the seat of a provincial assembly. As the national administrative axis shifted towards Zealand, however, Viborg's importance waned, and although it still has the high court of West Denmark, it's now primarily a market town for the local farming community.
The twin towers of the Domkirke (April-May & Sept Mon-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm; June-Aug Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; Oct-March Mon-Sat 11am-3pm, Sun noon-3pm) are the most visible feature of the compact town centre, and the most compelling reminder of Viborg's former glories. The interior is dominated by the brilliant frescoes of Joakim Skovgaard, whose work can also be seen in the Skovgaard Museum (daily: May-Sept 10am-12.30pm & 1.30-5pm; Oct-April 1.30-5pm; June-Aug 10kr, rest of the year free), inside the former Radhus across Gammel Torv. For a broader perspective of Viborg's past, keep an hour spare for exploring the Viborgs Stiftsmuseum (District Museum) on the northern side of Hjultorvet between Vestergade and Skt. Mathias Gade (mid-June to Aug daily 11am-5pm; Sept to mid-June Mon-Fri 2-5pm, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm; 20kr), which has everything from prehistoric artifacts to clothes, furniture and household appliances.
The
tourist office
on Nytorv (mid-June to Aug Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm; mid-May-mid-June Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-12.30pm; rest of the year Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 9.30am-12.30pm; tel 86.61.16.66,
www.viborg.dk
) can supply a handy map for exploring old Viborg and advise on
accommodation
. In town,
Palads Hotel
, 5 Sct. Mathias Gade (tel 86.62.37.00,
www.hotelpalads.dk
; ?40/$64/€72 and over), often has reduced rates. The more affordable
youth hostel
(tel 86.67.17.81,
www.danhostel.dk/viborg
; ?5-10/$8-16/€9-18, closed Dec-March) and
campsite
(with cabins), are both 2km across the lake from the town centre, along Vinkelvej (bus #707). Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Denmark,
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