The Region of Southern Denmark ( Danish : Region Syddanmark , pronounced [ʁekiˈoˀn ˈsyðˌtænmɑk] ; German : Region Süddänemark , pronounced [ʁeˈɡi̯oːn zyːtˈdɛːnəˌmaʁk] ; North Frisian : Regiuun Syddanmark ) is an administrative region of Denmark established on Monday 1 January 2007 as part of the 2007 Danish Municipal Reform, which abolished the traditional counties ("amter") and set up five larger regions. At the same time, smaller municipalities were merged into larger units, cutting the number of municipalities from 270 ( 271 before 2006 ) before 1 January 2007 to 98. The reform diminished the power of the regional level dramatically in favor of the local level and the central government in Copenhagen. The Region of Southern Denmark has 22 municipalities. The reform was implemented in Denmark on 1 January 2007, although the merger of the Funish municipalities of Ærøskøbing and Marstal , being a part of the reform, was given the go-ahead to be implemented on Sunday 1 January 2006, one year before the main reform. It borders Schleswig-Holstein ( Germany ) to the south and Central Denmark Region to the north and is connected to Region Zealand via the Great Belt Fixed Link .
47-549: The regional capital is Vejle but Odense is the region's largest city and home to the main campus of the University of Southern Denmark with branch campuses in Esbjerg , Kolding and Sønderborg . The responsibilities of the regional administration include hospitals and regional public transport , which is divided between two operators, Sydtrafik on the mainland and Als , and Fynbus on Funen and adjacent islands. On
94-843: A project to establish two new public beaches for swimming, Albuen and Tirsbæk Strand. Vejle is home to the headquarters of University College Lillebælt, which is a merger of several educational institutions in East Jutland and Funen. Adult and professional education is available in Vejle through the Region of Southern Denmark , the Folkeuniversitet (Adult Education Centre), the Vejle Idrætshøjskole (Athletics Professional College), and Skolen for Gastronomi, Musik & Design (School for Gastronomy, Music, and Design). On
141-416: Is Vejle but Odense is the region's largest city and home to the main campus of the University of Southern Denmark with branch campuses in Esbjerg , Kolding and Sønderborg . The responsibilities of the regional administration include hospitals and regional public transport , which is divided between two operators, Sydtrafik on the mainland and Als , and Fynbus on Funen and adjacent islands. On
188-487: Is a free edutainment center for both children and adults, focusing on technology, ecology, recycling, etc. Region of Southern Denmark The Region of Southern Denmark ( Danish : Region Syddanmark , pronounced [ʁekiˈoˀn ˈsyðˌtænmɑk] ; German : Region Süddänemark , pronounced [ʁeˈɡi̯oːn zyːtˈdɛːnəˌmaʁk] ; North Frisian : Regiuun Syddanmark ) is an administrative region of Denmark established on Monday 1 January 2007 as part of
235-609: Is a special program for athletically talented students starting in late primary school and continuing through Vejle Handelsskole. The city's traditional football club, Vejle Boldklub (Vejle Football Club), has won the Danish Superliga Championships five times and the Danish Cup six times. Vejle Boldklub has trained many talented football players, among others one of Danish football history's few international stars: Allan Simonsen , who in 1977 became
282-493: Is also located on Primary Route 28, and the Mid-Jutland Highway ( Midjyske Motorvej , Primary Route 18) from Herning . Vejle Transit Centre ( Danish : Vejle Trafikcenter ) is the principal transport hub for public transport in Vejle, which provides nine city bus lines to various neighbourhoods, as well as national and international coach and train services . Vejle railway station first opened in 1868, and
329-537: Is part of the Triangle Region , which includes the neighbouring cities of Kolding and Fredericia and it is located 110 kilometres (68 miles) north of Germany. Vejle is most known for its forested hills, Vejle fjord, harbour, shopping, pedestrian mall, and windmill. The word "Vejle" derives from the Old Danish word wæthel , meaning " ford " or "wading place" due to its location at a busy crossing over
376-403: Is shifting out of the industrial sector and into the high-tech sector, with a number of software companies operating out of the city. Vejle is known regionally as a vibrant shopping town with a wide and varied offering of both chain and specialty shops, primarily located along the city's central pedestrian street. Recently, in an effort to maintain its position as a premiere shopping destination,
423-756: Is the longest tunnel valley in Denmark, and the Grejs Valley ( Grejsdalen ) is the largest ravine in Denmark. Both empty into Vejle Fjord , which connects Vejle by water through the Little Belt strait to the Baltic Sea , and through the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits to the Atlantic Ocean . Development of new architecture, art and alternative town spaces throughout the 1990s has made
470-497: Is the renovated and expanded Vejle Museum of Art . The museum features the Wörzner collection with several COBRA works as well as works by Rembrandt . Today, Vejle Town Museum is located in the renovated Spinning Mill. The Socialists' former stronghold in Vejle, The Building, is today placed under glass in what used to be the shopping center "Mary's", and houses restaurants, cafés and two venues for e.g. jazz concerts. Økolariet
517-466: Is today a central station in the Danish train network . However, the station is currently the subject of political debate, due to a desire on the part of some politicians to reduce train travel time between Odense and Århus to one hour. This may mean that a second bridge will be built over Vejle Fjord, bypassing Vejle Station. The Port of Vejle , in its current location, was inaugurated in 1827. In
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#1732791096758564-558: Is usually determined in the Vejle stage. Stage 3 of the 2022 Tour de France started in Vejle. In the arts, the most well-known personality from Vejle is composer Jacob Gade , who wrote the Tango Jalousie . Other artists include author Ulrik Gräs , priest and historial Anders Sørensen Vedel , poet Inger Christensen , artist Albert Bertelsen , and actress Bodil Jørgensen . In the early and mid-20th century, Vejle had several popular cultural destinations such as Trædballehus in
611-612: The European Women's Handball Championship and the Danish Open in badminton . Former Swiss cyclist Tony Rominger was born in Vejle, and cyclist Bjarne Riis has a house in Vejle. Denmark's answer to the Tour de France , Danmark Rundt , includes a stretch through Vejle which is known as the hardest stage in the race, including a loop that requires the riders to climb the hillsides of Vejle several times. The race's winner
658-539: The Industrial Revolution , Vejle was known as the "Manchester of Denmark" due to its extensive textile mills . The local rivers provided water power to mills, including the extensive facilities of De Danske Bomuldsspinderier (The Danish Cotton Mills). In the first half of the 20th century, Vejle was something of a behemoth within the Danish textile industry, with some 25% of the city's workers employed in
705-481: The Middle Ages , Vejle was important as a market town , and developed along those lines up to the mid-17th century, trading with cities such as Lübeck and Flensburg , in what is now Germany . The king's castle, Castrum Wæthel , was located where Vejle Trafikcenter is today. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Vejle's population was diminished as a consequence of plague and war. In 1796, though, Vejle
752-483: The Vejle River and Grejs River and their valleys converge. It is the site of the councils of Vejle Municipality ( kommune ) and the Region of Southern Denmark . The city has a population of 61,706 (as of 1 January 2024 ) making it the ninth largest city in Denmark. Vejle Municipality has a population of 122,022 (as of October 2024 ) making it the fifth largest municipality in Denmark. The city
799-713: The secondary education level, Vejle offers several options: Vejle Handelsskole (Vejle Business School) offers business and professional programs; Vejle Tekniske Gymnasium (Vejle Technical School) offers vocational and technical education; and Rødkilde Gymnasium (on the fjord) and Rosborg Gymnasium offer academic programs with concentrations in language and science. On the primary level , Vejle has 11 regular primary schools ( folkeskoler ), 2 independent schools ( friskoler ), and 5 private schools ( privatskoler ) – one secular, one Protestant , one Catholic , one Islamic and one Waldorf-Steiner method school – as well as 2 schools for special needs students. Unique to Vejle
846-548: The 2007 Danish Municipal Reform, which abolished the traditional counties ("amter") and set up five larger regions. At the same time, smaller municipalities were merged into larger units, cutting the number of municipalities from 270 ( 271 before 2006 ) before 1 January 2007 to 98. The reform diminished the power of the regional level dramatically in favor of the local level and the central government in Copenhagen. The Region of Southern Denmark has 22 municipalities. The reform
893-666: The Social Democrats were out of power again when Liberal candidate Arne Sigtenbjerggaard won the elections. Several natives of Vejle have also made a career in national politics, including former Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Liberal), the former Minister of the Treasury Troels Lund Poulsen (Liberal), former Minister of Health Torben Lund (Social Democrat), and former Minister of Transportation Flemming Hansen ( Conservative ). Historically speaking, Vejle's development has been guided by
940-582: The Vejle River. During Viking times, the wetlands around Vejle had to be crossed at the Ravning Bridge , a nearly half-mile wooden boardwalk, west of the current city. Archaeological digs near St. Nicolai Church in downtown Vejle have shown that there were residences in the area as far back as 1100. The first recorded mention of the town is from 1256, and the first known merchant town privileges were issued by King Valdemar III in 1327. During
987-471: The biggest quality trailer manufacturers in Europe. Later on, newer industries took root in Vejle. The city is home to one of the largest chewing gum factories in the world, producing Stimorol brand chewing gum. The Tulip slaughterhouses were also an important employer in the city. Today, Tulip has closed its factory at the harbour, but still maintains production in northern Vejle. Today, Vejle's economy
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#17327910967581034-705: The center of the city. The shopping centre contains 38 stores and two restaurants and lies within the pedestrian street. Street food concepts can also be experience at the Paladspassagen Social Dining at the former Mary's Shoppingcenter. Vejle is located in and is the seat of Vejle Municipality which in its current configuration was formed under the Municipal Reform of 2007 . Vejle's municipal council consists of 31 members, elected every four years. Ever since Social Democrat Christian Jacobsen became Vejle's first elected mayor in 1919,
1081-510: The city an attraction. Vejle was the first city in Denmark , which had its own official architecture policy to set high standards for the urban development. The fjord is also the site of the modern wave-shaped apartment complex known as The Wave ( Bølgen ). Many of Vejle's neighbourhoods began as separate towns or villages that merged with the city as it grew. Søndermarken, Nørremarken, and Grejsdalen, however, were all founded as extensions of
1128-442: The city onto the surrounding hillsides. Vejle's neighbourhoods include: Vejle is the cultural and economic centre of Vejle Municipality and, as part of the unofficial Triangle Area ( Trekantområde ), is rich in industry, business, and the service sector . Historically speaking, industry has been very important for the city's development, while today more weight is placed on business and service, as well as high-tech firms. During
1175-488: The city's central location in the country and its location on Vejle Fjord. Vejle's pedestrian street today runs along the same course as some of the earliest paths through town – glass panels set into Torvegade allow pedestrians to see the historical market road a few meters under the current street surface. The European route E45 motorway passes close to downtown Vejle on the Vejle Fjord Bridge . Vejle
1222-626: The first Danish player to win the European Footballer of the Year award. Today, Vejle Boldklub is in a ramping-up period, with the goal of bringing the club back to the top of Danish football. To this end, new Vejle Stadium was opened in spring 2008. Vejle's largest indoor sports facilities are mostly housed in the DGI-Huset recreational centre in western Vejle. In the past, the facility has housed several high-profile events, including
1269-484: The hilltop casino . Munkebjerg still exists as a hotel, casino and conference centre. Vejle Mill, located on top of the cliff at Søndermarken, is a well-known landmark because of its visibility, and is often used as a symbol of the city. The Old Jail House in Vejle, which is connected to the Town Hall, was rebuilt in 1984 and received a prize for beautification. Vejle's oldest extant building, St. Nicolai Church ,
1316-403: The industry. Despite the decline in the industry in Denmark, the last cotton mill in Vejle remained open until 1993. Today, many of the old mill buildings are used for art studios, office space, and, more recently, apartments. In 1975 United Trailer Factories was founded by brothers Niels and Jens Buhl. The company, now known as ‘Variant’ like its products, has grown in strength to become one of
1363-477: The island municipalities of Ærø (since 2016) and Fanø (since 2018), the municipalities themselves are responsible for public transport. The Region of Southern Denmark is the westernmost of the Danish administrative regions ( Region Zealand being the southernmost). It consists of the former counties of Funen , Ribe and South Jutland , adding ten municipalities from the former Vejle County . The territories formerly belonging to Vejle County consist of
1410-473: The island municipalities of Ærø (since 2016) and Fanø (since 2018), the municipalities themselves are responsible for public transport. The Region of Southern Denmark is the westernmost of the Danish administrative regions ( Region Zealand being the southernmost). It consists of the former counties of Funen , Ribe and South Jutland , adding ten municipalities from the former Vejle County . The territories formerly belonging to Vejle County consist of
1457-468: The local elections. Carl Holst was a member of the central government of Denmark from 28 June 2015 – 30 September 2015. From 2023 Stephanie Lose became a part of the central government of Denmark. Vejle Vejle ( Danish pronunciation: [ˈvɑjlə] ) is a city in Denmark , in the southeast of the Jutland Peninsula at the head of Vejle Fjord , where
Region of Southern Denmark - Misplaced Pages Continue
1504-472: The new municipalities of Fredericia (unchanged by the reform), Vejle (a merger of Vejle, Børkop , parts of Egtved , Give , and Jelling ) and Kolding (a merger of Kolding, parts of Lunderskov , Vamdrup , and parts of both Egtved and Christiansfeld - the latter from South Jutland County ). A total of 78 municipalities were combined to a total of 22 new entities. The region is subdivided into 22 municipalities: The Gross domestic product (GDP) of
1551-472: The new municipalities of Fredericia (unchanged by the reform), Vejle (a merger of Vejle, Børkop , parts of Egtved , Give , and Jelling ) and Kolding (a merger of Kolding, parts of Lunderskov , Vamdrup , and parts of both Egtved and Christiansfeld - the latter from South Jutland County ). A total of 78 municipalities were combined to a total of 22 new entities. The region is subdivided into 22 municipalities: The Gross domestic product (GDP) of
1598-511: The northern section of the harbour into a park and residential area, which would reconnect the town with the fjord. Vejle Municipality is part-owner of Denmark's second-largest airport, Billund Airport , located near the Lego Group 's headquarters some 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the centre of Vejle. Airport buses run regularly to Billund Airport from Vejle Transit Centre. A central point of Vejle's environmental policy since 1985 has been
1645-531: The region was 57.3 billion € in 2018, accounting for 19.0% of Denmark's economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 35,100 € or 116% of the EU27 average in the same year. The Region of Southern Denmark is home to the only officially recognised ethno-linguistic minority of Denmark proper , the North Schleswig Germans of North Schleswig . This minority makes up about 6% of
1692-404: The region was 57.3 billion € in 2018, accounting for 19.0% of Denmark's economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 35,100 € or 116% of the EU27 average in the same year. The Region of Southern Denmark is home to the only officially recognised ethno-linguistic minority of Denmark proper , the North Schleswig Germans of North Schleswig . This minority makes up about 6% of
1739-502: The sorting of garbage into non-compostable and compostable waste , which is then composted in the city dump. To this end, residents must place all household trash into either black or green bags. Vejle Municipality has also begun a range of nature restoration projects. The most ambitious of these has been the restoration of the Kongens Kær wetlands around the Vejle River just outside the city limits. The city has also undertaken
1786-537: The total population of the municipalities of Aabenraa/Apenrade , Haderslev/Hadersleben , Sønderborg/Sonderburg and Tønder/Tondern . In these four municipalities, the German minority enjoys certain linguistic rights in accordance with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages . The five regions of Denmark each have a regional council of 41 members. These are elected every four years, during
1833-417: The total population of the municipalities of Aabenraa/Apenrade , Haderslev/Hadersleben , Sønderborg/Sonderburg and Tønder/Tondern . In these four municipalities, the German minority enjoys certain linguistic rights in accordance with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages . The five regions of Denmark each have a regional council of 41 members. These are elected every four years, during
1880-489: The town has been a stronghold for the Social Democrats and trade unions. The longest serving Social Democratic mayor was Willy Sørensen, a union leader who joined the city council in 1937 and held the mayor's post for 31 years, from 1946 until his death in 1978. In 1993, the Social Democratic dynasty was broken, when a candidate from a coalition of opposition parties, Flemming Christiansen, became mayor. In 2009,
1927-540: The town has invested in several public works projects to improve the city's appearance, including lengthening the Pedestrian Street , developing new public art and architecture, and uncovering and beautifying Grejs River, which until recently ran in a culvert underneath downtown. In addition to the shopping experiences in the city, Vejle also has its own shopping centre, the Bryggen shopping centre , located in
Region of Southern Denmark - Misplaced Pages Continue
1974-476: The western part of town and the Munkebjerg Casino south of the fjord. Trædballehus, an inn and music venue, which burned down in 1954, got its big breakthrough in the mid-1930s when it was featured on Danish National Radio in connection with the opening of the old Little Belt Bridge . 1933 Hotel Munkebjerg boasted Europe 's longest wooden escalator , carrying guests from the fjord-side beach up to
2021-470: The years following World War II , it grew to become the second largest port in Denmark after the Port of Copenhagen . Up until 1932, the steamboats Hvidbjerg (named after a local seaside community) and Jeppe Jensen (named after the harbour's founder) plied the waters between Vejle Harbour and Munkebjerg, Tirsbæk, Ulbækhus, and Fakkegrav. The harbour is currently profitable, although there are plans to convert
2068-530: Was built in the mid-13th century. On display in the church is the Haraldskær bog woman , a body from the Iron Age that was preserved with its skin intact in a local peat bog . Another feature of the church are 23 spherical indentations on the north transept – legend says these are imprints of the skulls of executed robbers from the woods that surround Vejle. Among the city's cultural institutions
2115-513: Was built on an island of glacial till in Vejle River remaining from a hill formed during the last ice age . In a country where the highest natural elevation is only about 170 m (558 ft) above sea level, Vejle is known for the forested hills that rise to the north and south of the town and fjord . The valleys of the two rivers that converge at Vejle are both unique in Denmark: Vejle River Valley ( Vejle Ådal )
2162-572: Was implemented in Denmark on 1 January 2007, although the merger of the Funish municipalities of Ærøskøbing and Marstal , being a part of the reform, was given the go-ahead to be implemented on Sunday 1 January 2006, one year before the main reform. It borders Schleswig-Holstein ( Germany ) to the south and Central Denmark Region to the north and is connected to Region Zealand via the Great Belt Fixed Link . The regional capital
2209-435: Was made the seat of the newly founded Vejle County . Throughout the 19th century, the town benefited from improvements such as a new harbour on the fjord, a railway station , and modern utilities. From the mid-19th century into the 20th century, Vejle developed from a provincial market town into a busy industrial centre, eventually becoming known as the " Manchester of Denmark" for its many cotton mills . Downtown Vejle
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