Aarhus City Hall
Aarhus City Hall - although over 75 years old, Aarhus City Hall is still a modern, functionalistic building that still houses the municipality of Aarhus and hosts major events throughout the year. Built by Arne Jacobsen and clad with Norwegian marble, it represents Danish design and architecture at their best and is by many recognised as a big symbol of Aarhus and Danish architecture.
The story of the City Hall
When Aarhus City Hall was first designed, architects Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller had not thought of the City Hall Tower as we know it today. They wanted to place the City Hall in the centre, so the city council was allowed to build on Søndre Kirkegaard, which caused some outrage. A quick-witted municipal employee took the initiative and travelled around the country to obtain permission to move the graves of relatives of the deceased buried in the cemetery.
The topping-out ceremony was held in December 1939, after which a harsh winter put a stop to construction until April 1940, when the German Wehrmacht occupied Denmark. This meant that there was a shortage of materials and problems with transport.
Like most architects in the 1930s, the architects behind City Hall had a minimalist approach to their work. That's why neither towers nor marble slabs were included in the original drawings. However, citizens and politicians alike wanted something bigger to become a city landmark, so the roof was raised and the tower was added.
The story behind Aarhus City Hall
The carillon at Aarhus City Hall
Experience the iconic carillon at Aarhus City Hall, which fills the city streets every day with notes from Morten Børup's "Majvise In vernalis temporis". The carillon plays fragments at the quarter and hour beats, but you can hear the full melody every day at 12.00. Come and enjoy a musical break in the centre of Aarhus' busy city life.
Guided tours
Most of the year you can join guided tours in Aarhus City Hall and explore the magnificient interior and 'hidden' rooms. See more at Tour of Aarhus City Hall.
For further information, please contact AarhusGuides.