Happy TravellerWelcome to Vejle, a picturesque city located in the southeast of the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark. With a population of over 60,000, Vejle is the ninth largest city in Denmark and is known for its stunning fjord, forested hills, and bustling shopping district. Let’s explore the history, neighborhoods, economy, infrastructure, and more that make Vejle a must-visit destination.
History:
Vejle’s name comes from the Old Danish word wæthel, meaning ford or wading place, due to its location at a busy crossing over Vejle River. The town was first mentioned in 1256 and was an important market town during the Middle Ages, trading with cities such as Lübeck and Flensburg. In the 19th century, Vejle became a busy industrial center, known as the Manchester of Denmark for its many cotton mills.
Neighborhoods:
Vejle’s neighborhoods include Vejle center, Bredballe, Grejsdalen, Hover, Lille Grundet, Store Grundet, Mølholm, Nørremarken, Petersminde, Vestbyen, and Vinding. Each neighborhood has its own unique charm and character, from the affluent Bredballe to the scenic overlook of Himmelpind in Vestbyen.
Economy:
Vejle is the cultural and economic center of Vejle Municipality and is rich in industry, business, and the service sector. Historically, industry has been important for the city’s development, with extensive textile mills during the Industrial Revolution. Today, Vejle’s economy is shifting towards the high-tech sector, with a number of software companies operating out of the city. Vejle is also known regionally as a vibrant shopping town, with a wide and varied offering of both chain and specialty shops.
Infrastructure:
Vejle’s development has been guided by the city’s central location in the country and its location on Vejle Fjord. Vejle Station provides nine city bus lines to various neighborhoods, as well as national and international coach and train services. Vejle Harbour is currently profitable, although there are plans to convert the northern section of the harbor into a park and residential area. Vejle Municipality is part-owner of Denmark’s second-largest airport, Billund Airport, located near the Lego Group’s headquarters.
Environment:
Vejle has been at the forefront of environmental policy since 1985, with the sorting of garbage into non-compostable and compostable waste. The city has also undertaken a range of nature restoration projects, including the restoration of the Kongens Kær wetlands around the Vejle River just outside the city limits. Vejle has also established two new public beaches for swimming, Albuen and Tirsbæk Strand.
Education:
Vejle is home to 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, the Vejle Idrætshøjskole, and Skolen for Gastronomi, Musik & Design. On the secondary education level, Vejle offers several options, including Vejle Handelsskole, Vejle Tekniske Gymnasium, and Rødkilde Gymnasium. On the primary level, Vejle has 11 regular primary schools, 2 independent schools, and 5 private schools.
Sports:
Vejle Boldklub, the city’s traditional football club, has won the Danish Superliga Championships five times and the Danish Cup six times. Vejle Boldklub has trained many talented football players, including Allan Simonsen, who in 1977 became the first Danish player to win the European Footballer of the Year award. Vejle’s largest indoor sports facilities are mostly housed in the DGI-Huset recreational center in western Vejle
