Mariager - The History
Mariager is one of Denmark’s smallest market towns. Until 1410 it was only a small fishing village and ferry-stop on the way between Randers and Aalborg.
When visiting the beautiful town center of Mariager, there is no doubt that you have entered a time capsule. Here, time seems to have stood still for the past 400 years.
Mariager's town center bears witness to a long history, a market town, and a distinctive oasis. Mariager, the City of Roses, with cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses adorned with roses, and several squares, is a true gem that is carefully tended to. A living attraction for tourists and a privilege for the hospitable citizens.
Mariager is a small town and market town with 2500 inhabitants. Mariager - "Maria's field" named after the Virgin Mary - was before the founding of the monastery (around 1410) only a small fishing village and ferry stop on the road between Randers and Aalborg.
The Old Town Hall
The old town hall from 1822 is beautifully and majestically located in the middle of the square in Mariager. The town hall is now adorned with a beautiful clock, the city's emblem "The Crane," and golden writing with the second line of the "Jutlandic Law":
"If there was no law in the land, then every man had to seize as much as he could."
The building has recently undergone a major renovation, where they have also managed to create a beautiful wedding hall in the former parish council chairman and mayor's office. The room is decorated in an old style, fitting perfectly into the building's history dating back to 1822.
If you want to get married in the heart of the "City of Roses" Mariager at the Old Town Hall, this can certainly be arranged.
Read more here!
Mariager Monastery Church
The foundation of the Bridgettine monastery around 1446 led to a flourishing of trade and craftsmanship and granted Mariager market town rights in 1592.
The Bridgettine monastery was a nunnery of the Bridgettine Order and one of the most powerful in Jutland.
The establishment of the monastery created great growth in the city, as it became a popular destination for thousands of devout nobles. Therefore, there was a basis for several inns and guesthouses. With the monastery also came the impressive monastery church - which was four times larger at the time than it is today.
What remains today escaped demolition during a reconstruction in 1788-1789.
From market town to industry
After the Reformation and the closing of the monastery, Mariager lost much of its significance. As a consolation, the city was granted market town rights in 1592. At that time, the city had only 4-500 inhabitants.
Many buildings from the industrious trade and craftsmanship of the market town period have been preserved. These are the buildings that can be enjoyed today on a stroll through the cobbled streets of the city.
Industrialization only reached Mariager around 1960. Most notably is Akzo Nobel, a huge salt factory, which is the only one of its kind in Scandinavia. The salt has its own history and significance for Mariager.
But fortunately, the massive wave of industrialization that hit many cities of similar size passed Mariager by - and thanks to that, you can still experience the cobblestones, the old houses, etc.
Experiences for everyone
The city is well supplied with specialty and grocery stores, fine dining options, and good accommodation options. The city's largest tourist attraction is the Mariager Salt Center, located on the harbor. Here, you can learn all about the history and use of salt, visit an underground salt mine, and test the buoyancy of water in the "Dead Sea," which is a pool with 37-degree warm saltwater. The Mariager Salt Center is an experience center for the whole family.
The city's and the region's history is also told at the Mariager Museum and can be experienced firsthand in the impressive Mariager Monastery Church. On the cozy square lies the atmospheric Hotel Postgården, whose oldest building dates back to the 18th century.
In the summer months, there is the opportunity for a trip with the Mariager-Handest Veteran Railway - a scenic 15 km route. The station is located at the harbor, and here you will also find the "paddle steamer" Svanen, which sails daily trips on the Mariager Fjord. There is the possibility to combine the vintage train, Svanen, and a bus on the "Triangle Route."
The nature around Mariager also offers good opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and sailing.
From Hohøj, the largest Bronze Age barrow in Scandinavia, there is a magnificent view.