Aarhus, Denmark

Cathedral

The temple was built in honor of the patron of sailors - Saint Clement. It is one of the most beautiful and largest temples in Denmark. The history of the cathedral began at the end of the 12th century. In 1300, the construction of the cathedral in the Romanesque style was completed. Thirty years later, in 1330, the Cathedral of Saint Clement burned down, and only in 1449 was the church rebuilt again, this time in the Gothic style. In the fire, most of the cathedral’s interior furnishings were destroyed; only a few frescoes have survived to this day. Among these frescoes is the oldest one - “Lazarus’ Windows,” dated 1300. Among the other treasures of the cathedral are a gilded 1479 altarpiece and the largest organ in Denmark (6,352 pipes), which was built in 1730.

Marcelisborg Palace

The summer royal residence of Marselisborg was built in 1661 by the Dutch merchant Gabriel Marselis. Due to the family’s difficult financial situation, the castle changed hands until the Aarhus municipality acquired the residence in 1896. The manor is set amid a beautiful blooming garden and green lawns. The approaches to the residence are adorned with statues carved from trees and stumps. In 1967, Marselisborg Manor was restored. Today, it serves as the summer royal residence. The changing of the guard at the castle takes place during the royal family’s summer holidays. Tourists, unfortunately, are not allowed into the palace, but the park is open to everyone. Today, the garden features more than 350 varieties of roses, planted in the form of a labyrinth.

Town Hall

Aarhus City Hall - perhaps one of the most unusual in Europe. This structure, listed among Denmark’s national heritage sites, is nothing like the city administrative buildings you may be used to-ones built in Gothic or classical styles. No, Aarhus City Hall is something special! It is a building of grey concrete slabs, clad in Norwegian marble. The project, brought to life in 1941, was developed by architects Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller. The interior spaces of the City Hall are decorated in warm tones, while the furniture-by the well-known Danish designer Hans Wegner-has been made from lacquered wood. Today’s City Hall is the third one in the history of Aarhus.

Pig Fountain

In 1941, in the Danish city of Aarhus, a pig monument appeared in the square in front of the City Hall. It is considered the oldest monument in the world that celebrates this domestic animal. A bronze pig sculpture with piglets climbing on it reminds the town’s residents of the famous Danish bacon, which people in the country love very much. The monument is not simple: it is designed so that in summer water is run through it, and then one of the piglets urinates. Because of this, residents of Aarhus call the sculptural composition “the piglet well.” On the monument there is an inscription-Ceres bronden-which, translated from Danish, means “Ceres’ well.” This is a tribute to the brewery company “Ceres,” whose money was used to create the sculpture.

Tivoli Amusement Park

World-famous Tivoli Friheden is perfect for a family holiday! Thrill-seekers and fans of “dead loops” should go headfirst down the “Hurricane” (Orkanens Øje), speed lovers and those who enjoy sharp turns-on the “Typhoon” (Tyfonen). And anyone can feel the lightness of free fall at a speed of 90 km/h by climbing the 40-meter Sky Tower and jumping off it! Those who still decide not to jump can go down by elevator-just don’t miss the chance to enjoy a breathtaking view over the Aarhus bay. For the very smallest guests (under 90 cm tall), admission to the park is free.

Deer Park

There are several places in the city that you must visit with your child. Among them is the Deer Park, home to real wild inhabitants that roam freely around the grounds. Fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar, and spotted deer live quite close to the center of Aarhus-just about 3.5 kilometers south. You can see the animals any day completely free of charge. The park’s residents are practically tame and are happy to be petted.

Old Town Museum

Den Gamle By - “Old Town” - is located in the open air and features 75 ancient buildings from the 16th-20th centuries, brought here from different places across the kingdom. Museum staff introduce the many visitors to the exhibits. And their outfits themselves are a museum treasure. Between the buildings are winding cobblestone lanes reminiscent of a labyrinth. The buildings showcase the everyday life and crafts of that era. Almost all houses are open to visitors. Here, you’ll have a wonderful opportunity to see hat-, shoemaker-, and toy-making workshops, taste delicious pastries at the bakery, visit a pharmacy, the tailor’s house and the vintner’s home, and also view kitchen utensils from those times.

Moesgor

Moesgor Archaeology Museum is a unique collection of artifacts paired with breathtaking architecture and cutting-edge technology. The exhibits include objects from the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as a wonderful viewing promenade featuring models of prehistoric landscapes. The museum’s most interesting exhibit is the well-preserved remains of a prehistoric human, found in 1952 in a bog; the remains are 2000 years old. Perhaps there is no museum like this anywhere else in the world. A team of designers, architects, animators, photographers, archaeologists, and anthropologists has created a whole vibrant interactive world that immerses visitors in the lives of ancient people.

Museum of Art

This is one of the largest art museums in Northern Europe, with exhibitions designed not only for adult visitors, but also for children. In addition to the magnificent collection of paintings, sculptures, and works on paper from the Danish Golden Age and Modernism, visitors can also see works by representatives of contemporary art. One such work has become the symbol and pride of the museum-an enormous five-meter sculpture of a boy sitting in a crouch. Another original composition is “Your Rainbow Panorama” on the building’s roof. This is a huge 52-meter-diameter ring, whose walls are made of colored glass. The structure is designed so that the colors blend smoothly from one to the next, creating a fairy-tale city panorama. On Sundays, in the afternoon, the museum holds a special guided tour for young visitors.

Women’s Museum

The Women’s Museum has collected items, documents, photographs, slides, and biographies of thousands of women. In the smallest details, it shows all the changes in the lives of the “weaker sex” over the centuries. The exhibits in storage and on display are quite rare and sometimes unexpected. From garden tools to hygiene pads, from ledger trading books to black-and-white vintage engravings and snapshots of everyday life, from formal portraits and watercolors by women artists to oral accounts of beatings that the fairer half of humanity endured in the old days-and not nearly as seldom as one might think- from heartbreaking love stories to terrifying sketches about abortions committed by ignorant shamanesses. By the way, the ticket price includes a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at the local charming café.

Aarhus, the Cultural Capital of Denmark

You will discover Denmark’s second-largest city, over which a rainbow always shines, and whose residents love to sunbathe in the shade of the Iceberg. You’ll see the most youthful and modern city, where life pulses and innovative ambitions thrive, yet at the same time it pays tribute to the historical legacy of the Viking-era founders of the city, and the traditions of the royal court are highly respected. You’ll have the opportunity to appreciate contemporary Danish design and architecture, as well as visit the tallest cathedral in Denmark.

City of Kings

The Danish monarchy is the oldest in the world. Aarhus is the second-largest city in the Danish kingdom. During the excursion, you will get to know this dynamic, cheerful, and colorful city by strolling through its classic parks and old streets. You will visit places where the reigning Queen of Denmark Margrethe II is known to go: the Royal Residence, St. Clement's Cathedral, and even the shops that supply the royal court. You will learn the legends and secrets of the royal family, as well as lots of interesting things about modern Danes, their culture, and way of life.

You can view a more detailed list of excursions and their prices after booking your cruise in your “Personal Client Account”.