Herning

Herning

Panorama of Herning
Herning

Location in Denmark

Coordinates: 56°08′19″N 8°59′23″E / 56.13861°N 8.98972°E
Country Denmark
Region Central Denmark (Midtjylland)
Municipality Herning
Government
  Mayor Lars Krarup
Area
  City 1,323.5 km2 (511.0 sq mi)
Elevation 58 m (190 ft)
Population (2014)
  City 47,765
  Density 36/km2 (93/sq mi)
  Metro 86,842
Time zone Central Europe Time (UTC+1)
Postal code 7400
Area code(s) (+45) 9
Website www.herning.dk

Herning is a Danish city in Region Midtjylland, on the Jutland peninsula. It is the main town and the administrative seat of Herning Municipality. Herning has a population of 47,765 (1 January 2014)[1] including the suburbs of Tjørring, Snejbjerg, Lind, Birk, Hammerum, and Gjellerup, making Herning the 11th most populous urban area in Denmark.

History

Herning was established at the beginning of the 1800s during the period of heath reclamation. This period of time resulted in a growing population, and a demand for products and services to the new farmers in the area. Herning came into existence as a center of commerce for the area.

Later on, Herning became known for the textile-weaving industry that developed in and around the town. This industry was once Herning's principal economic activity: today, the town enjoys a diversified industrial base.

Herning became a market town in 1913.

Herning has twice, in 1965 and 2003, been awarded the title of Danish City of the Year.

Attractions

Herning is home to Messecenter Herning, the largest exhibition centre in Scandinavia, which gives the town a reputation for its many trade fairs.

Carl-Henning Pedersen and Else Alfelt's Museum of Art (also known as Herning Art Museum) is one of the major attractions.

The city hosts 3 buildings recognizably designed by the architect Jørn Utzon. One is publicly owned and two are privately owned.

The town is also home to sculptor Ingvar Cronhammar's unique monumental work Elia. The sculpture is located in the town near the Herning Art Museum.

The old Herningsholm Estate in Herning is open to the public for touring. Classensborg Estate, now called Skarrildhus, is located 25 km south of the town, but is closed to the public because it is a private hotel and educational facility. The grounds, however, can be toured and are known for their beautiful rhododendron displays during the spring.

Sports

Herning Blue Fox is a Danish professional ice hockey team playing in the top Danish ice hockey league Oddset Ligaen. FC Midtjylland is a football team playing in the Danish "superligaen". It is a fusion of Herning Fremad and Ikast FS.

Herning also is a centre of Danish cycling. The GP Herning is a professional bicycle race held annually in Herning. The 2012 Giro d'Italia started in Herning. Bjarne Riis, as of 2011 the only Dane to win the Tour de France, was born in Herning. Bjarne Riis has in the year. 14 years following his win Bjarne Riis reluctantly admitted use of illegal drugs to enhance performance and win Tour de France victory. He however still holds the Trikot since his wrongdoings at that point had exceeded the statute of limitation.

Transport

Road and rail

As for both road and rail Herning is the transport hub of central Jutland. The rail lines crossing the peninsula intersect in Herning and there are connections towards Vejle, Århus, Esbjerg and Holstebro as well as several daily trains to Copenhagen. Roadwise, Herning lies at the junction of route 18 that traverses the Jutland Peninsula from southeast to northwest, route 15 that crosses the peninsula from Aarhus in the east to Ringkobing in the west and route 12 from Esbjerg in the south west to Viborg to the northeast.

Airport

Herning is served by Karup Airport situated 25 km (16 mi) to the northeast of the city. There are several flights a day connecting it to Copenhagen Airport. It also has a few international connections of its own.

Famous residents of the municipality

References

External links

Media related to Herning at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: 56°08′N 8°59′E / 56.133°N 8.983°E