DGI-byen

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Vandkulturhuset at sunset. "Vandkulturhuset" is Danish for "Water Culture House".

Main entrance to DGI-byen HOTEL

DGI-byen (often written all capitals, as "DGI-BYEN") is a notable facility that houses various spa facilities, restaurants, hotels, conference facilities, a bowling alley, flexible multi-centres, sports clubs, a "Swim Centre" and Vandkulturhuset, (Danish for "Water Culture House") located in the heart of Copenhagen[1].

1 Notability of "DGI-city"
2 Concerts and other events
3 Recognizable landmarks
4 Links

[edit] Notability of "DGI-city"

DGI-byen is notable as an important cultural center, and its facilities are vast and extensive enough that it operates as a mini city within Copenhagen; "byen" is Danish for "city", so the English translation is "DGI-city". There is also a walled portion of the city, closed off by high stone walls, that contains various building complexes that provide infrastructure for DGI-byen's numerous cultural activities and events.

The main building is a 22,000 square metre facility situated directly behind Copenhagen's Central Station, directly across the street from the central railway station, with other associated buildings in the walled-off portion adjacent the main building. Presently DGI-byen is a rapidly expanding area of the city, with ongoing construction.

One of DGI-byen's facilities, which began as a cattle market in 1901, has been transformed into a recreation area for cultural and leisure activities, in 1993, and by 1996, with DGI-byen's Øksnehallen facility in place, Copenhagen was voted Europe’s City of Culture [2].

DGI-byen's Øksnehallen is considered Copenhagen’s most attractive and unique events venue, much sought after by major cultural and corporate clients[3].

[edit] Concerts and other events

Hydraulophone performance at DGI-byen pool

DGI-byen hosts a variety of banquets, concerts, and the like.

[edit] Recognizable landmarks

DGI-byen city landmark: a large outdoor climbing gym/wall is visible from far across the city.

The most recognizable landmark by which to identify DGI-byen, from a distance, is a giant outdoor climbing gym wall. There is also a curved row of trees at the edge of the property closest to the train station.