Virum
Virum is a town in Denmark, located north of Kongens Lyngby on the island of Zealand ('Sjælland') in Region Hovedstaden. It is part of the northern suburbs of Copenhagen. Comprising mostly residential areas, Virum also has lakes, forests and recreational areas. The town is known for the local handball and soccer club, Virum-Sorgenfri. Virum also has its own high school, Virum Gymnasium.
History
The place where the modern city of Virum now lies has been populated since long before the country of Denmark came to exist. Some of the oldest mounds in the area are believed to be made as far back as year zero. These mounds were supposedly used for dividing up agricultural land, and lay in an area now known as Geels skov.
The modern town of Virum first came about during the 12th century when the town was given, by the Pope, to Bishop Absalon. The first written account of the town is in 1186, where Pope Clement III[1] writes a letter to the Bishop, stating which towns, including Virum, he would be given.
However, Virum did not stay with Absalon for long: he soon decided to give the town to the bishop of Roskilde as a friendly gesture. The Bishop of Roskilde then built a castle just outside Virum - the remains of which can still be seen today, though only as markings on the ground.
Frederiksdal Castle is located in Virum. Its main building was built from 1744-45 and was used as a summer residence for Foreign Affairs, Privy Councilor Johan Sigismund Schulin. The Schulin Family still owns the estate.[2]
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The name Virum corresponds very well to the geography of the place. In Old Danish, the name "Virum" means an open space that is easy to defend, and this is true of the geography of the place. This is also why it made a great spot for a castle to be built.
Since then, the town has grown like any other. Today it thrives, with a town square, a train station, supermarkets and much more.
References
55°48′N 12°28′E / 55.800°N 12.467°E