Frederikshavn, Denmark

Fishing Village
FISHING VILLAGE

Frederikshavn has a population of approximately 25,000 and is an important traffic portal with its ferry connections to Sweden and Norway. The city is also well known for fishing, and its fishing and industrial harbors. Frederikshavn's oldest building, Fiskerklyngen, is originally from the mid-1500s, but the houses now there are from 1700s-1800s.

Due to its advantageous proximity to the entrance to the Baltic Sea, Frederikshavn has historically been a naval base of some strategic importance. Tordenskjold barricaded himself here in the fortress German troops had already built in the 1600s. The only old military installations remaining to this day are the Gunpowder Tower Krudttårnet, constructed in 1688, and the Northern Entrenchment Nordre Skanse. The Gunpowder Tower has been preserved, and is incorporated in the municipality's coat-of-arms.

Bangsbo Museum resides on a manor whose oldest buildings date back to the 16th century and are beautifully surrounded by forest, river valley and hills, only two kilometers from the centre of Frederikshavn.

In the manor house, which is surrounded by a moat, visitors can experience the town history, textile exhibits and a one of a kind collection of jewellery made of human hair.

In the stables, a unique ship from Ellingå - dated 1163 - is on display together with a maritime exhibit with figure heads and model ships, an exhibit about the resistance movement in Jutland during the German occupation of Denmark in 1940-45, and - in the 16th century barn - a large collection of horse-drawn carriages.

In connection with the museum lies Bangsbo Botanical Gardens, a herb garden and a deer park with a playground made from natural materials.

During the summer season Frederikshavn's north beach is planted with approx. 30 imported Italian palms. There is also a beach volleyball court, and seaweed parasols provide welcome relief on hot summer days. The southern part of the beach is shallow and suitable for families with small children.

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