Aarhus, the second largest town in Denmark with a population of a little more than 300,000 inhabitants, is situated at the east coast of Jutland and is one of the oldest towns in the country, dating back to at least 948, in which year we are told about a bishop of Aros.

Aarhus Cathedral, parts of which date back to the 12th century, is still one of the most impressive buildings in the city. There is rich evidence of both viking and medieval life in many places in Denmark and not least in Aarhus.

Even though Aarhus is one of the oldest cities in Denmark is has the youngest populations. Measured in terms of the average age of its inhabitants Aarhus is the youngest city in Denmark. Aarhus has an energetic and vibrant atmosphere, thanks to its population of international university students and staff and the presence of the headquarters of several global companies.

The historic downtown was established on the banks of the Aarhus River, which runs into the Bay of Aarhus, in the Viking era. The river was asphalted over in the 1920s. In the late ´90s, a project to reunite the river and the city was launched, and the river was uncovered.  Now a whole strip of cafés and restaurants has risen to line the new urban riverfront in an award-winning development that has opened the city centre up for pedestrians.

While in Aarhus, remember to visit Salling, one of Aarhus' largest shopping centres.

Learn more about Aarhus here .

Aarhus University is situated in the heart of Aarhus. Students are taught in architecturally distinguished yellow-brick buildings surrounded by the beautiful University Park campus, which is also the setting for many social activities and concerts for students and city residents alike. Aarhus University is a leading European research university with education and research activities in all academic fields. The university attracts 25 per cent of Danish research funding and is home to more than 30 internationally recognised research centres - including 14 Centres of Excellence supported by the Danish National Research Foundation. Researchers at Aarhus University have been awarded 19 European Research Council Advanced and Starting Grants.

Aarhus University is one of the most rapidly advancing institutions ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide. One reason for this progress is the inclusion of research talent development as a core activity in the university’s strategy. Currently, over half of Aarhus University's more than 42,000 students are enrolled at the postgraduate level. Moreover, Aarhus University is well on its way to doubling enrolments in its doctoral programmes, and the university maintains a consistent focus on the recruitment of talented international students and early career researchers.

Aarhus University has a rich tradition of Old Norse studies, and in recent years, new initiatives have emerged at the University, intending to secure the continued existence of the field as a forceful component of the humanities at Aarhus. These initiatives have included, for instance, International Conferences, Summer Schools, English-language programs and courses and Visiting Professorships. 

Read more about Old Norse Studies.

Read more about Summer School 2012 - Old Norse Mythology: Visualization Performance Narration

Read more about Viking Studies.

Read more about Aarhus University here.