Hjørring

Hjørring (Danish pronunciation: [ˈjɶɐ̯e̝ŋ]) is a town on the island of Vendsyssel-Thy at the top of the Jutland peninsula in northern Denmark.

Although archaeological discoveries show that the area was already populated 10,000 years ago, it cannot be determined exactly when an actual urban community arose.

[3] The oldest known royal charter granting the city status as a market town were issued by King Eric IV of Denmark on 31 March 1243.

[3] The charter of 1505 gives an impression of the extent of the city: the medieval urban settlement was still located around the three churches at the top of the hill on which central Hjørring lies.

Also the Count's Feud, a war of succession that raged in Denmark from 1534 to 1536 and brought about the Reformation in Denmark-Norway became expensive for Hjørring, as it forced the citizens to pay heavy ransoms and compensations.

As a consequence of the Reformation the nearby rich monasteries of Børglum Abbey and Vrejlev Priory disappeared which undoubtedly had business relations with the town.

A comparison of tax levies from the towns in Vendsyssel shows that both Skagen and Sæby in this period were richer and larger than Hjørring.

In 1647 another violent fire broke out, destroying 17 farms, and in 1657–58, during the Second Northern War, the town was again occupied by enemy troops, who starved the population through discharges and lodging.

The street network was expanded, and on 15 August 1871, the Vendsyssel railway line between Aalborg and Frederikshavn was opened, after which exports went over this city.

Thorough urban redevelopment in the 1960s led to a complete demolition of the neighborhood around Fiskerbakken and Bassingade south of Sankt Olai Church in favor of parking spaces.

It has a considerable collection of artists influenced by the landscapes and surroundings of Northern Denmark, but also presents changing exhibitions of mostly contemporary art.

The town is also served by the railway halts Hjørring East, Kvægtorvet, Teglgårdsvej, Herregårdsparken, and Vellingshøj.

Seal of the city of Hjørring from 1650.
The old town hall of Hjørring from 1834.
Map of Hjørring in 1899.
Street in Hjørring.
Hjørring Gymnasium
Charlotte Eilersgaard, 1910
Ann Eleonora Jørgensen, 2015