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On this part of the Hærvej Trail, you travel between the Viking Age, the medieval period in Viborg, and the present day. You will cycle through beautiful natural and cultural landscapes, and the route crosses Skals Å, goes through Bigum Forest and between the Viborg Lakes, where you get a breathtaking view of the cathedral.
Hobro-Viborg
Fyrkat Viking Museum
When you visit the Fyrkat Viking Museum, you embark on a journey back in time to the year 980, when Harald Bluetooth ruled over Denmark.
The Fyrkat fortress, like the other Danish circular fortresses, was constructed following a strict geometric pattern. The inner diameter of the fortress is 120 meters. Around the fortress, a 12-meter wide and over three-meter high embankment was erected with a plank-built front. In front of the embankment, there was an approximately seven-meter wide and two-meter deep moat. The museum consists of the historic circular fortress Fyrkat and the Viking Farmstead, which is nine reconstructed houses that together form a chieftain's estate from the Viking Age. Both residential houses and workshops are built from oak timber with clay-lined walls and thatched roofs.
The Fyrkat Ring Fortress was excavated in the 1950s, and next to the fortress, a cemetery with 30 graves containing men, children, and women was discovered, but one woman's grave stands out. The woman was buried with unusual jewelry and objects that suggest she was a völva – a sorceress from the pagan faith. The story of the Fyrkat fortress and the buried sorceress is also the story of Denmark at a crossroads, where King Harald Bluetooth turned his back on the old Norse religion and converted to Christianity.
The location of the Fyrkat fortress in the Onsild River valley was strategic. During the Viking Age, it was possible to sail from the Kattegat through the Mariager Fjord and all the way up to Fyrkat. Fyrkat was also situated at a crossing point where travelers on the north-south-going Army Road through Jutland necessarily had to pass, which made it possible to control the traffic up through Jutland.
The Viking Farmstead provides the setting for many Viking activities that you can experience throughout the season, and there is something for every taste: bread baking, wool work, Viking clothes, smithing, and archery.
Fyrkatvej 37B, 9500 Hobro
Rødding Lake
Near the village of Rødding, you can discover the beautiful Rødding Lake. In 2004, the lake was restored after having been dried out for 100 years. Today, the lake and its surroundings have been transformed into a lovely natural area filled with experiences and activities.
At the eastern end of the lake, you can follow a 2.6-kilometer marked trail around the lake. Along the lake park, the path towards the east and north is wide, firm, and wheelchair-friendly. Tables, benches, and a fire pit have been set up, inviting you to take pleasant breaks along the way.
Røddingvej 41, 8830 Tjele
The Cathedral Quarter in Viborg
The Cathedral Quarter in Viborg is one of the most important building blocks in the history of Denmark and holds the key to understanding the emergence of modern Denmark and the development of the monarchy, the church, the rule of law, and democracy over the past 1000 years.
You step into a time capsule and can embark on an enchanting journey through the quarter, which is a living image of the history of the past. The magical aura of the heart of Viborg unfolds, and you can almost feel the pulsating soul of the city. For more than a thousand years, the area has been a center of power, a gathering place for the community, and a spiritual hub.
Viborg Cathedral stands as the centerpiece of the Cathedral Quarter, majestically raised 42 meters above the city and is the world's largest granite church. Right next to it, you will find the Parliament Square, where at least 37 of Denmark's kings have been crowned over time. The old town hall from 1728, which is located next to Viborg Cathedral, houses the Skovgaard Museum. The art museum contains works from the Skovgaard family of artists, including the artist Joakim Skovgaard, who decorated Viborg Cathedral.
The Cathedral Quarter is not just a place; it is a time machine that takes you through centuries of events and markets, and it testifies to Viborg's significant role in the history of Denmark, including as the old capital. Every stone, every shortcut, and every breath tells a story of strength, community, and spirituality. As you wander through these streets, past and present merge into a unique experience. Discover how the Cathedral Quarter remains a timeless source of inspiration and a living proof of a millennium-old heritage.
Domkirkestræde, 8800 Viborg
How do you get to and from the stage using public transportation?
You can find your way to the stage using public transportation by using the Rejseplanen and the Hærvejs app. To get to the starting point of the stage, you should enter the destination 'Hobro St.' in Rejseplanen. Once you arrive, you can use the Hærvejs app to find your way to the Hærvej.
Useful links
Rejseplanen: www.rejseplanen.dk
Get a stamp in your Hærvej Passport
On this stage, you can get a stamp in your Hærvej Passport at Viborg Pilgrim's Hostel.
Hobro-Viborg