Fredag kort tur

Friday short 38 km:

1. Søby Lake: Søby Lake north of the lignite mines is privately owned and is the only natural lake in the area. This means that, unlike most of the lakes in the lignite mines, it has a varied animal and plant life. To the east of the lake, Herning Municipality has been granted permission to set up a public grill and rest area, where it is also possible to swim in the lake from the bathing beach.

2. Søby Lignite Museum: The lignite adventure forms a colourful chapter in Danish history, which began in the winter of 1939/40 and lasted until May 1970. The lignite mines in Søby bear witness to a very special culture and way of life during World War II, when the supply of coal to Denmark disappeared, creating an urgent need for fuel.

The lignite mining created a community where whole families moved in to be part of the adventure and earn good money. The homes were small, the work incredibly hard, and several men lost their lives in dramatic accidents in the mines. Between 3,000 and 4,000 people lived in the Søby lignite mines, of which about 2,000 were in Søby itself, while the industrial adventure was at its peak, which meant that shops, haulage companies, rescue stations and gambling establishments were established.

 

3. 'The White City': Birk's more recent history began in the 1960s when the textile industry was booming in the Herning area. The Damgaard brothers Knud, Mads and Aage laid the foundation for a new, creative way of thinking by combining their industries with art and education. The architecture and design of the industrial buildings – inside and out – made art and culture a natural part of the everyday life of the workers. The fantastic collaboration between brave businessmen, municipal officials, renowned Danish and international architects, landscape architects and artists resulted in innovations in both buildings, urban planning and landscape. The geometry and forms - Architecturally, the Angli factory was the starting shot for the new Birk. The geometry and wall art of Angligården, indoors and outdoors, inspired the entire strategy for the area. To preserve the unique character of the place, both buildings and outdoor areas are subject to special rules. Circles, squares and triangles are everywhere, shaping buildings, parks, squares, roads and paths. Circles can be seen, for example, in Angligården, at the Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelts Museum in the Sculpture Park and last but not least at the round sculpture Elia. In the Geometric Gardens, in the Utzon House and at the Heart art museum, there are captivating combinations of geometric shapes.