The old town in Aarhus, Denmark is the perfect place to experience Danish «hygge» and how Christmas has been celebrated in Denmark for centuries. From 18th of November to 30th of December the old town gives you a taste of how Denmark has celebrated Christmas from the 1600s to the 1970s.
The old town in Aarhus is an open air museum with an interactive presentation of history from the 1800s up to the 1970s. Entering the old town in Aarhus is like going back in time. The buildings here are real buildings moved to the old town from different parts of Denmark. Around town there are different characters dressed in the 1800s style and occasionally the baker himself will carry some of the goods to the bakery. The baker is in fact the actual baker of the old town, a man who cares a lot about the old traditions of baking. The old bakery in town is from 1885. Though it is no longer in use the old recipes are still used in a more modern bakery in town. The old bakery is now where you can buy the cakes made in the modern bakery. In the oldest part of town you can buy cakes and other delicious sweets made from recipes dating back to the 1800s, some are even from the 1500s.
In the 1970s part of town there is a confectionery cafe from 1974 selling traditional cakes from the 70s. The staff here are all dressed as if they were from the 70s. The cafe is a cute little place where you can sit down and enjoy the cakes.
Not only does the town look old, but the people working in the shops act as if they were from the 1800s and early 1900s. In the old bakery you can only buy cakes with cash. If you try asking if you can use a credit card the ladies behind the desk will laugh and ask you what this plastic card is. So remember to bring actual money. Some of the cakes to buy is “vaniljekranse”, “pebernødder”, “klejner”, “brunkager”, “hindbærsnitter” etc. The bakery in town bake around 19 types of cakes. The bakery usually sells around 100 kg of “vaniljekranse” on a good December day and during weekends about 700-1000 “klejner”. Both of these cakes and a few others will be featured on Dear November soon.
The old town also have little shops selling Danish candy, pottery, cups and plates, books and a shop specializing only on Christmas ornaments. The little ornament shop sells the oldest Danish advent calendar which contains a new story every day until 24th of December. During Christmas all the shops, restaurants and cafes are decorated for Christmas. The Christmas decorations are all in traditional Danish style.
If you find yourself visiting the old town on a rainy day then do not worry. The town has a few different cafes and restaurants which serves cakes and traditional Danish meals like Danish “smørrebrød”.
The town really gives you a feeling that this is a real old functioning town with all its characters, shops, buildings and horse carriages. Nothing will give you a sense of “hygge” more than this old town. Read more about what “hygge” means here.
Take a look at their website for more information about how to get there, opening hours and entrance fees – https://www.dengamleby.dk/engelsk/the-old-town/practical/
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