Stress-free in Silkeborg
Historic paddle steamer docked at Silkeborg
“To travel stress-free, see every obstacle as a chance for adventure.” – Melinda Graper
The town of Silkeborg is located in the geographic center of the Jutland peninsula along Denmark’s longest river, The Gudenaa River, surrounded by a hilly and lush landscape. As the country’s largest forested region, this district, with its more than 50 lakes, is also called the Lake Highlands, or Denmark’s outdoor capital. While it is a popular destination for an active vacation in nature or for a stress-free weekend visit among Danes from the western part of the country, residents from the eastern regions of Denmark and foreign visitors tend to skip this less-known spot and vacation on one of the many islands or in the capital of Copenhagen.
In the 15th century, a castle, a monastery called Alling Kloster, and a farming estate occupied this site by the river and the lake into which it feeds. So it remained for 400 years until a pair of brothers built a paper mill in 1844 on the riverbanks near the castle remains, in order to exploit the waterpower of the fast-running river. Soon after, a trading center was established, and a small settlement grew around the mill. The advent of the railroads brought new transit connections south to Germany and east to the capital, and more road building in subsequent years saw the population increase meaningfully to 1200 residents. The town’s elevated status as a “market town” came only in 1900, in contrast to the numerous Danish market towns that already prospered during medieval times. Yet, there’s a historic atmosphere in the squares and pedestrian streets of this young town.
Today, the town’s oldest preserved manor house, dating to 1767, houses the Museum Silkeborg, an important collection of Danish archeology and culture. The museum’s highlight is one of the two dozen bog bodies that anthropologists have unearthed throughout Denmark since the mid-19th century. Called the Tollund Man, he is exceptionally well-preserved for having lived during the Iron Age in the 4th century BC, and for probably having been the victim of a ritual sacrifice. Another museum, The Museum Jorn, features many paintings of the town’s internationally-known favorite son, Asger Jorn, along with the works of his fellow members of the COBRA European Avant-Garde art movement of the mid-1900s. Several annual summer music festivals featuring jazz, country, and rock contribute harmoniously to the stress-free feeling of the town that lasts throughout the year.
The surrounding countryside lures recreational fishermen and all manner of enthusiasts of canoeing, hiking, biking, and sailing to its lakes and shores. A favorite excursion for locals and visitors alike is a leisurely boat ride on the historic, coal-fired paddle steamboat “Hjejlen” or The Golden Plover. Starting from the riverbank right in town next to the Museum Silkeborg, the steamer sails back and forth to the Himmelbjerget on Lake Julsoe. One of the highest points in Denmark at 147m (482 feet), this Heaven Mountain affords magnificent views over several lakes from the tower at the top. The tower is a memorial to King Fredrik VII and the Danish constitution he signed in 1849. From there, numerous scenic hiking and biking routes lead back to Silkeborg as an alternative to the boat. The well-marked and well-maintained paths also provide ample enticement for further leisurely exploration of the natural beauty and variety of Denmark’s stunning lake district.
Don’t miss:
A laid-back and scenic trip on the paddle steamer, and a walk up Heaven Mountain.
Serendipity:
Finding the unexpected- Walking down the short hill behind the new Town Hall to Langsø and finding a flat lakeside path for a leisurely evening walk.
Lunch Tip:
Drewsens, in the historic City Hall building on the Square for fresh, local modern Danish fare.
Bedtime:
The Sophiendal Castle Hotel, in a 1000-year-old building 25km (15 miles) from Silkeborg along a country road in Veng.
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*All photographs are mine, taken with my Nikon D3100 or iPhone 8.*