Viborg is one of the oldest towns in Denmark.The original
name was Vibjerg (Vvibuiærgh in Valdemar Sejrs Jordebog
from 1231), which means "the hills with the shrine". It was in
prehistoric time a sacred cultplace, where the ancient Nordic gods were
worshipped. The sacred place was called a "Vi", which explains the name
Viborg. The settlement consisted of spread farms up till year 1000,
after
which properties were being outparcelled along the road, which today is
Store Sct Peders Stræde (mid-town). From here was a connection road
across the lakes to Asmild. In the Viking period a larger town emerged
gradually - and it was through centuries the main town of Jutland and a
political power center. Viborg got its municipal rights in 1150. The old
trade and pilgrim road to Europe
Hærvejen went out from
here.Viborg lies upon a hillside, falling steeply into a valley along
the
eastern part of town. The valley is filled by the lakes Nørresø and
Søndersø,the waterstreams leading to the lakes are surrounded by large
meadow areas. The long lakes form a clear border of the town. The
western part of Viborg is today an area with villas stretching far out
into the countryside. The visible center of Viborg is still the
cathedral with two towers, one of the largest churches built in granite
ashlars.
Things went quickly for the city in the middle of Jutland. Tradesmen
and craftsmen settled here, where the trade- and pilgrim road
Hærvejen
from the south met the country roads from north, west and east. Most
important was that the Jutland chieftains gathered here on a regular
basis to counsel together upon the Thing about common affairs and to
celebrate the Danish kings. A celebration of the king told who had to
succeed the king when he died. The first celebration in 1027 was about
Hardicanute, who was Danish king from 1035-1042. The tradition went on
until 1655 where Christian V. was celebrated at the Thing in Viborg.
Where the town leads out between the lakes, king Erik Menved let build
Borgvold
in 1313 in order to break the wellknown obstinacy of the Jutlanders.
Here is a castle bank and a park today. The Jutlanders in the northern
section of Jutland had after a counsel at the Thing in Viborg rebelled
against the king's new tax notices, but they were suppressed by the king
and his German mercenaries.
The Thing (Landsting) in Viborg was in the Middle Ages a Thing for
the whole country. The Thing was abolished in 1805. Viborg was also a
religious center. The town became bishopric in
1065, and the foundation stone of the cathedral was laid by bishop Eskil
about 1130. During the Middle Ages were built three monasteries and a
nunnery in Asmild, 12 parish churches and some roadside chapels.
Maybe it was the wealth of the number of churches and klosters which
provoced the first Danish rebellion in Viborg against the papal power.
In 1525 a Johanitter monk Hans Tausen started to preach Luther's teach
in Viborg, and when he was dispelled of his order, king Frederik I
appointed him his chaplain.The king allowed in 1529 the civilians
in Viborg to break down all the churches and chapels, which the town was
not able to maintain. This meant direct cash to the Crown. The king
also "took care" of the church silver. In 1529-30 the klosters were
abandoned too, and the monks were driven out. The rebellious Lutheranian
citizens seized the cathedral in 1530.
The 1500s brought progress, but in the 1600s and the 1700s the town
was hit by recession, fires and wars. The town burnt both in 1567, 1615,
1667 and 1726, the last fire was especially a catastrophe. Half the
city burnt down and for many years a big part of the town were nothing
but black ruins. From the late 1700s the town had an important period of
expansion and became what is is today: a city of institutions. It grew
into a stylish town of officials. Some found it snobby. The Danish
writer Peer Hultberg, the son of a judge, grew up in Viborg - he wrote a
novel where he delivered an utmost corrosive image of the citizens, who
are described as the victims of their own strict consciousness.
Most
of the oldest Viborg houses were built after the big fire in 1726. The
present look of the Viborg cathedral is a result of an almost complete
rebuild in 1864-76. From the original church is only kept the crypt and a
small part of the apse. The cathedral in Lund (Skåne) was the role
model of the present building. The artist Joakim Skovgaard decorated the
church with frescoes in 1899.
The altarpiece from the beginning of the 1500s is in another Viborg
church, (Søndre Sogn) - it is called the masterpiece among the carved
Netherland altarpieces in Denmark. East of the lakes is the old Asmild
kloster, the oldest section of a nunnery built around 1100. It was in
Asmild church king Erik Emune let bishop Eskil of Viborg kill in front
of the altar during mass.
Because of its central
situation and the many roads leading to Viborg the city has a large
trade and a diversified industry. First of all it is an important
administration- and institution town with courts, state districts, a
large hospital and nurse school, media schools, teacher seminary, trade
school, domestic arts school, cathedral school and a district gymnasium.
North of Viborg is the beautiful scenery of Hjarbæk fjord, south of
Viborg the deep Hald lake with old oak- and beech woods, Dollerup bakker
with heather hills. The historic murder place Finderup lade does not exist anymore, but the
historic village lies west of the forests. King Erik Klipping was killed
here on Sct. Cecilia-night, 22 November in 1286. He is buried in Viborg
cathedral.
Tourist sailing: a boat Margrethe I sails in the summer season on the
lakes from where is a magnificent view to the city. City Museum in a
historistic styled and richly decorated building; the Skovgård Museum
with art exhibitions in the old Baroque town hall; "Brænderiet" which
is art and culture center with alternate art exhibitions . In the
Biblical gardens is opportunity to study the plants mentioned in the
Bible; a garden called "Pilehaven" where the old Johannitterkloster was
placed, until it was broken down in 1578. A basket weaver has formed the
hedges, benches and huts in the park from willow and maple branches.
"Latinerhaven", a labyrinthic park, with a fountain " Løvebrønden"
(Lion's well), the park has a memorial for the ornitologist H.Chr.
Mortensen, called
Fuglemortensen (Bird Mortensen); he put Viborg on the
map when he in 1899 put the ringing of birds in system. From the
Gråbrødrekloster (Fransiscan kloster) in 1236 is little kept, but the ground plan of the kloster is marked by beech hedges.
photo Viborg 2006/2010/2011: grethe bachmann
A view from my favorite resting place down to Hald sø. Far away you can see the town Viborg, but it was a misty day. It is late in September and nature is still mild and warm. A small copper (lille ildfugl) was still flying around in the fine weather. 
The owner of the "cowberry-parcel" got a certain quantum of the berries or the peasant-family might do some work for him in order to keep the allowance. It was also a common thing to dry berries in the oven and sell them later at high prices. The women did not tolerate any foreigners on "their land". If some foreign woman arrived she was chasen away with much trouble and physical fights. This was great entertainment for the children.
