PhotoSecrets Aalborg

A Photographer’s Guide

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AALBORG

Photos

Aalborg

31 views to photograph
Old City HallSimon Q/Wikipedia
Sankt Markus KirkeAnton Nikolov/Flickr
Toldbod Plads SpringvandetDaderot/Wikipedia
Aalborg Akvavit MuseumSeier+seier/Flickr
Aalborg StationNelson L./Flickr
HaandværkerhusetBernt Rostad/Flickr
Jens Bang’s HouseJost Hindersmann/Wikipedia
Lindholm HøjeEric Gross/Flickr
Aalborg StadsarkivTomasz Przechlewski/Flickr
Hospital of the Holy GhostVästgöten/Wikipedia
John Bull PubIgnat Gorazd/Flickr
Jomfru Ane GadeAloriel/Wikipedia
Aalborg Søfarts og MarinemuseumTomasz Sienicki/Wikipedia
Aalborg TeaterMorten Lj/Wikipedia
Abbey of Our LadyEdam66/Wikipedia
Defence and Garrison MuseumOlav Vibild/Wikipedia

Contents

Map

About PhotoSecrets

 
 
 
 

Foreword

A great travel photo­graph, like a great news photo­graph, requires you to be in the right place at the right time to capture that special moment. Professional photo­graphers have a short-hand phrase for this: “F8 and be there.”

There are countless books that can help you with photo­graphic technique, the “F8” portion of that equation. But until now, there’s been little help for the other, more critical portion of that equation, the “be there” part. To find the right spot, you had to expend lots of time and shoe leather to wander around, track down every potential viewpoint, and essentially re-invent the wheel.

In my career as a professional travel photo­grapher, well over half my time on location is spent seeking out the good angles. Andrew Hudson’s PhotoSecrets does all that legwork for you, so you can spend your time photo­graphing instead of wandering about. It’s like having a professional location scout in your camera bag. I wish I had one of these books for every city I photo­graph on assignment.

PhotoSecrets can help you capture the most beautiful sights with a minimum of hassle and a maximum of enjoyment. So grab your camera, find your favorite PhotoSecrets spots, and “be there!”

About Bob Krist

Bob Krist has photo­graphed assignments for National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, Travel/­Holiday, Smithsonian, and Islands. He won “Travel photo­grapher of the Year” from the Society of American Travel Writers in 1994, 2007, and 2008.

For National Geographic, Bob has led round-the-world tours and a traveling lecture series. His book In Tuscany with Frances Mayes spent a month on The New York Times’ bestseller list and his how-to book Spirit of Place was hailed by American Photo­grapher magazine as “the best book about travel photo­graphy we’ve ever read.”

The parents of three sons, Bob and his wife live in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Welcome

Thank you for reading PhotoSecrets. As a fellow fan of travel and photo­graphy, I hope this guide will help you quickly find the most visually stunning places, and come home with equally stunning photo­graphs.

PhotoSecrets is designed to show you all the best sights. Flick through, see the classic shots, and use them as a departure point for your own creations. Get ideas for comp­osition and interesting viewpoints. See what piques your interest. Know what to shoot, where to stand, when to go, and why it’s interesting. Now you can spend less time researching and more time photographing.

The idea for PhotoSecrets came during a trip to Thailand, when I tried to find the exotic beach used in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun. None of the guidebooks I had showed a picture, so I thought a guidebook of postcard photos would be useful for us photographers. Twenty-plus years later, you have this guide. Thanks!

Now, start exploring — and take lots of photos!

About Andrew Hudson

Originally an engineer, Andrew Hudson started PhotoSecrets in 1995. His first book won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best First Book and his second won the Grand Prize in the National Self-Published Book Awards.

Andrew has published 38 nationally-distributed photo­graphy books. He has photo­graphed assignments for Macy’s, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Men’s Health and Seventeen, and been a location scout for Nikon. His photos and articles have appeared in Alaska Airlines, National Geographic Traveler, Shutterbug Outdoor and Nature photo­graphy, Where, and Woman’s World.

Andrew has a degree in Computer Engineering from Manchester University and a certificate in copyright law from Harvard Law School. Born in Redditch, England, he lives with his wife, two kids, and two chocolate Labs, in San Diego, California.

Introduction

At a Glance

Name:Aalborg (Ålborg)
GPS:57.04639, 9.91917
Address:Aalborg, Nordjylland
Municipality:Aalborg Municipality
Region:North (Nordjylland)
Where:Jutland peninsula
Country:Denmark
Fame:Fourth most populous city in Denmark
Nickname(s):Paris of the North
Double A
Population:112,194 (city, 2016)
210,316 (municipality, 2016)
First mention:1035
Established:1342
Timezone:CET (UTC1)
Website:aalborgkommune.dk

Aalborg is a Danish city famous for its half-timbered mansions and Viking history. Located in the north of Denmark about 412 kilometres (256 mi) from the capital Copenhagen, the Municipality of Aalborg is the third most populous in the country.

Situated at the narrowest part of the Limfjord waterway, with access to England and Norway, Aalborg was founded in the Iron Age as a trading post. It became an important Viking harbor around AD 700 and a burial ground can be seen on a hill overlooking the city. The name Aalborg possibly derives from the Old Norse for “the fort by the stream.”

In 1342, the town gained royal trading privileges from King Valdemar IV. Merchants grew prosperous and the town became one of the largest communities in Denmark. King Christian II frequently held court in the old Aalborghus (a half-timbered castle) and, in 1516, granted Aalborg a monopoly in salting Limfjord’s herring, a valuable export.

From the 1550s to the 1640s, as a result of increased foreign trade, Aalborg enjoyed great prosperity, second only to that of Copenhagen.As merchants benefitted from their shipping routes from Norway to Portugal, many fine buildings were added.

The railway reached Aalborg in 1869 and the town became the country’s main producer of tobacco products and spirits, followed in the 1890s by fertilisers and cement.

Despite its industrial background and the factories along its waterfront, the city has gained popularity for tourism in recent years, offering a wide variety of attractions and historic buildings in addition to its museums, churches and parks.

In 2014, the European Commission said that the city that most satisfied its residents was Aalborg.

Aalborg Centrum

Gammeltorv

Old City Hall

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Gammeltorv

The Old City Hall in Gammeltorv (Old Square) was Aalbrog’s city hall from 1762 to 1912.

Addr:Gammeltorv 2,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.048119
9.920504
What:BuildingWhen:Afternoon
Look:Northeast ↗Far:24 m (79 feet)
AKA:Aalborg Town Hall, Aalborg RådhusWik:Old_City_Hall_(Aalborg)

Budolfi Church

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Gammeltorv

Budolfi Church (St Budolfi Church, Budolfi Kirke, Budolfi Domkirke) is the Lutheran cathedral church for Aalborg. Founded by 1132, the current gothic structure was built before 1399, and the tower was replaced in 1779.

Addr:Algade 40,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.047856
9.918584
What:ChurchWhen:Afternoon
Look:East →Far:30 m (110 feet)
AKA:St Budolfi Church, Budolfi Kirke, Budolfi DomkirkeWik:Budolfi_Church

Ideas for Budolfi Church

From Gammeltorv

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Gammeltorv > Budolfi Church
Addr:Algade 40,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.048209
9.919914
When:AnytimeLook:South-southwest
Far:40 m (130 feet)

Musikkens Hus

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

Musikkens Hus (House of Music, Music House), opened in 2014, is a concert hall for the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and The Royal Academy of Music.

Addr:Musikkens Pl. 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.04865
9.932553
What:Music venueWhen:Afternoon
Look:South-southeast Far:110 m (360 feet)
AKA:House of Music, Music HouseWik:Musikkens_Hus

Ideas for Musikkens Hus

Nytorv Square

Jensens Bøfhus

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Nytorv Square
Addr:Østerågade 19,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.048781
9.921985
What:BuildingWhen:Morning
Look:Northwest ↖Far:19 m (62 feet)

Jens Bang’s House

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Nytorv Square

Jens Bang’s House (Jens Bang’s Stenhus) on Østerågade in Nytorv square is considered the finest privately owned Renaissance building in the country. Jens Bang was one of Denmark’s richest citizens and his five-storey house, built in 1624, features gables, gargoyles and a sculpture of Bang’s face with his tongue sticking out.

Addr:Østerågade 9,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.048382
9.921502
What:HouseWhen:Morning
Look:West-northwest Far:21 m (69 feet)
AKA:Jens Bang’s StenhusWik:Jens_Bang%27s_House

Ideas for Jens Bang’s House

Toldbod Plads

Toldbod Plads Springvandet

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Toldbod Plads

Toldbod Plads Springvandet (Customs House Square Fountain) is Denmark’s first musical fountain, installed in 2007 outside the The Royal Customs House. Water dances to Händel’s Water Music at 3pm, 6pm and 9pm.

Addr:Toldbod Plads,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.050208
9.922907
What:FountainWhen:Afternoon
Look:North ↑Far:19 m (62 feet)
AKA:Customs House Square Fountain

Ideas for Toldbod Plads Springvandet

John Bull Pub

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Toldbod Plads

John Bull Pub is a classic English pub boasting North Jutland’s largest selection of Danish and international beer brands.

Addr:Østerågade 20,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.049977
9.922312
What:PubWhen:Afternoon
Look:East-southeast Far:20 m (66 feet)

Utzon Center

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

The Utzon Center (Aalborg Centrum), opened in 2008, was designed by Aalborg native Jørn Utzon, designer of the Sydney Opera House, one of the most famous and distinctive buildings of the 20th century.

Addr:Slotspladsen 4,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.049751
9.92663
What:BuildingWhen:Morning
Look:South-southwest Far:40 m (120 feet)
AKA:Aalborg CentrumWik:Utzon_Center

Aalborg Stadsarkiv

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

Aalborg Stadsarkiv (Aalborg City Archive, Aalborg House) holds the city’s archives and Denmark’s largest local photo collection, with over six million photos.

Addr:Arkivstræde 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.046172
9.923983
What:LibraryWhen:Morning
Look:Southwest ↙Far:30 m (110 feet)
AKA:Aalborg City Archive, Aalborg House

Side view

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Aalborg Stadsarkiv
Addr:Arkivstræde 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.04577
9.924147
When:MorningLook:North-northwest
Far:22 m (72 feet)

With fountain

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Aalborg Stadsarkiv
Addr:Arkivstræde 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.046187
9.923846
When:AfternoonLook:South-southeast
Far:28 m (92 feet)

Aalborghus

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

Aalborghus (Aalborghus Slot, Schloss Aalborghus, Aalborg Castle) is a half-timbered castle built from 1539 as a fortification and used as a royal residence.

A castle dating from 1340 was demolished in 1539 and replaced by King Christian III, which is the current east wing. The north wing was added by Christian IV in 1633 and used as a granary for the storage of food supplies such as corn. The west wing was built later, holding other supplies such as meats and fish, and the south wing was added between 1808 and 1809.

Addr:Slotspladsen 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.048936
9.924039
What:CastleWhen:Morning
Look:North-northwest Far:16 m (52 feet)
AKA:Aalborghus Slot, Schloss Aalborghus, Aalborg CastleWik:Aalborghus

South wing

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Aalborghus
Addr:Slotspladsen 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.048872
9.923583
When:AfternoonLook:Northeast ↗
Far:30 m (100 feet)

Haandværkerhuset

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

Haandværkerhuset (House of Crafts) is a half-timbered farmhouse from around 1630. This was part of a large farm owned by Oluf Christensen, built close to the harbor for transportation.

Addr:Kattesundet 20,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.051058
9.9175
What:BuildingWhen:Afternoon
Look:Southeast ↘Far:10 m (33 feet)
AKA:House of Crafts

Ideas for Haandværkerhuset

Hospital of the Holy Ghost

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

Hospital of the Holy Ghost (Helligåndsklostret i Aalborg, Aalborg Monastery, Aalborg Kloster) is one of Denmark’s best preserved medieval structures. Founded as a hospital in 1431, it is the oldest social institution in Denmark and the buildings, dating from 1434, are the oldest in north Jutland. The “House of the Holy Ghost” was a charitable religious institution for the care of the sick, old and poor.

Addr:Klosterjordet 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.04866
9.918487
What:BuildingWhen:Morning
Look:West ←Far:28 m (92 feet)
AKA:Helligåndsklostret i Aalborg, Aalborg Monastery, Aalborg KlosterWik:Hospital_of_the_Holy_Ghost,_Aalborg

Ideas for Hospital of the Holy Ghost

Aalborg Monastery

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > Hospital of the Holy Ghost
Addr:Klosterjordet 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.048385
9.91846
What:BuildingWhen:Afternoon
Look:North-northeast Far:22 m (72 feet)
AKA:Heiliggeistkloster, Aalborg Kloster

John F. Kennedys Plads

Aalborg Station

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum > John F. Kennedys Plads

Aalborg Station is the main railway station of Aalborg. The 1902 building was designed by the Danish architect Thomas Arboe.

Addr:John F. Kennedys Pl. 3,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.043410
9.918135
What:Railway stationWhen:Morning
Look:West-southwest Far:70 m (220 feet)
Wik:Aalborg_station

Vestre Landsret

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

Vestre Landsret Aalborg (High Court for Aalborg) is a criminal courthouse housed in a magnificent building on Gabels Torv (Gabels Square).

Addr:Fjordgade,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.04762
9.925895
What:BuildingWhen:Morning
Look:North ↑Far:24 m (79 feet)
AKA:High Court

Jomfru Ane Gade

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

Jomfru Ane Gade (Virgin Anne’s Street) is possibly Denmark’s most famous street. Said to be Denmark’s longest continuous stretch of restaurants and bars, the street dates to at least 1568 when it was named apparently for local nun Ane Viffert. The half-timbered buildings belonged to wealthy merchants.

Addr:Jomfru Ane Gade,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.05013
9.918932
What:StreetWhen:Afternoon
Look:North ↑Far:25 m (82 feet)
AKA:Virgin Anne’s StreetWik:Jomfru_Ane_Gade

Aalborg Teater

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

Aalborg Teater (Aalborg Theater) is Aalborg’s main theater. Built in 1878, it has three stages.

Addr:Jernbanegade 11,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.047005
9.916331
What:TheaterWhen:Afternoon
Look:East →Far:20 m (66 feet)
AKA:Aalborg TheaterWik:Aalborg_Teater

Abbey of Our Lady

Aalborg > Aalborg Centrum

Abbey of Our Lady (Vor Frue Kirke, Church of Our Lady) is an 1876 church on the site of an early Benedictine monastery.

Addr:Vor Frue Pl. 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.0460149
9.9233727
What:AbbeyWhen:Afternoon
Look:North-northeast Far:40 m (140 feet)
AKA:Vor Frue Kirke, Church of Our LadyWik:Abbey_of_Our_Lady,_Aalborg

Outer Aalborg

Aalborg Zoo

T-Rex

Aalborg > Outer Aalborg > Aalborg Zoo

T-Rex is coming for you.

Addr:Aalborg Zoo,
Mølleparkvej 63,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.036794
9.898188
What:DinosaurWhen:Afternoon
Look:East →Far:0 m (0 feet)

Det Gode Kup

Aalborg > Outer Aalborg > Aalborg Zoo

Det Gode Kup (Bjørnemanden, The Good Man) is a statue by CJ Bonnesen in 1925 of a man carrying two bear cubs at the entrance to Aalborg Zoo.

Addr:Aalborg Zoo,
Mølleparkvej 63,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.03813
9.900023
What:StatueWhen:Morning
Look:Southwest ↙Far:13 m (43 feet)
AKA:Bjørnemanden, The Good Man

Sankt Markus Kirke

Aalborg > Outer Aalborg

St. Mark’s Church (Sankt Markus Kirke) makes a picturesque view from Østre Anlæg park.

Addr:Teglværks Alle 17,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.043316
9.940132
When:AfternoonLook:East-northeast
Far:210 m (690 feet)AKA:Sankt Markus Kirke

Aalborg Akvavit Museum

Aalborg > Outer Aalborg

Aalborg Akvavit Museum is housed in a 1931 Neoclassical brick building by architect Alf Cock-Clausen. At this location, the Danish distillery Aalborg used to make its renowned akvavit (a Scandinavian flavoured spirit), distilled with amber. Production was moved to Norway in 2015.

Addr:C. A. Olesens Gade 1,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.054727
9.911513
What:MuseumWhen:Morning
Look:West-northwest Far:23 m (75 feet)
Wik:Danish_Distillers

Ideas for Aalborg Akvavit Museum

Lindholm Høje

Aalborg > Outer Aalborg

Lindholm Høje (Lindholm Hills) is a major Viking burial site and former settlement overlooking Aalborg to the north. The southern (lower) section dates to 1000 – 1050 AD, the Viking Age, while the northern (higher) part is from the 5th century AD, in the Nordic Iron Age. There is a museum nearby, opened in 1992.

Addr:Vendilavej 11,
9400 Nørresundby
Where:57.076919
9.912356
What:Viking burial siteWhen:Morning
Look:North ↑Far:40 m (130 feet)
AKA:Lindholm HillsWik:Lindholm_Høje

Ideas for Lindholm Høje

Aalborg Søfarts og Marinemuseum

Aalborg > Outer Aalborg

Aalborg Søfarts og Marinemuseum (Springeren Maritimt Oplevelsescenter, Springeren Maritime Experience Centre) is a marine museum on Aalborg’s wharf.

Addr:Vestre Fjordvej 81,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.059157
9.893082
What:Marine museumWhen:Morning
Look:South-southwest Far:29 m (95 feet)
AKA:Springeren Maritimt Oplevelsescenter, Springeren Maritime Experience CentreWik:Aalborg_Søfarts-_og_Marinemuseum

Aalborgtårnet

Aalborg > Outer Aalborg

Aalborgtårnet (Aalborg Tower) is a 55 metre tall observation tower with a restaurant at the top. Built in 1993 of lattice steel, the tower was remade in 2005.

Addr:Søndre Skovvej 30,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.041409
9.904931
What:Observation towerWhen:Morning
Look:Northwest ↖Far:29 m (95 feet)
AKA:Aalborg TowerWik:Aalborgtårnet

Defence and Garrison Museum

Aalborg > Outer Aalborg

Defence and Garrison Museum (Aalborg Forsvars- og Garnisonsmuseum) is a military museum in a seaplane hangar, built by German occupation forces during WWII.

Addr:Skydebanevej 22,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.056061
9.882701
What:MuseumWhen:Afternoon
Look:Northeast ↗Far:23 m (75 feet)
AKA:Aalborg Forsvars- og GarnisonsmuseumWik:Defence_and_Garrison_Museum

Kunsten Museum of Modern Art

Aalborg > Outer Aalborg

Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg was built between 1968-72 by Finnish architects Elissa and Alvar Aalto and Danish architect Jean-Jacques Baruël. The ziggurat-style building is accompanied by a sculpture garden.

Addr:Kong Christians Alle 50,
9000 Aalborg
Where:57.042786
9.905103
What:MuseumWhen:Afternoon
Look:Southeast ↘Far:50 m (170 feet)
Wik:KUNSTEN_Museum_of_Modern_Art_Aalborg

Credits

Thank you to the many wonderful people and companies that made their work available to use in this guide.

Photo key: Tap the camera icon to see the photo. The two letters reference the distributor and license. Key for distributors: f:Flickr; w:Wikipedia. Key for license: a:CC-BY-SA; b:CC-BY; m:public domain.

Cover image by .Kunsten Museum Of Modern Art Aalborg ( wa); Aloriel ( fa); Aaron Bihari ( wm); Daderot ( wm); Edam66 ( wb); Philip Gabrielsen ( wa); Jorge González ( fa); Ignat Gorazd ( fb); Eric Gross ( wa); E Hain ( wa); Heelgraer ( wb); Jost Hindersmann ( wb); Mike Johnson ( fa); Jim Killock ( fb); Nelson L. ( wm); Morten Lj ( fa); Hernan Miranda ( fb); Anton Nikolov ( wb); Podracerhh ( fb); Tomasz Przechlewski ( wb); Simon Q ( fb); Bernt Rostad ( fb); Seier+seier ( wb); Tomasz Sienicki ( wa); Ralf Skjerning ( fb); Aalborg Stift ( wa); Västgöten ( wa); Olav Vibild ( wa); Lamberto Zannotti ( wa). Some text adapted from Wikipedia and its contributors where noted by the URL path in the “Wik” table field, used and modified under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC-BY-SA) license. Map data from OpenStreetMap and its contributors, used under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL).

Index

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

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M

N

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P

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T

U

V

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