Silkeborg is a city in central Jutland, Denmark, with around 53,000 people in the urban area and just over 103,000 in Silkeborg Municipality. Unlike many Danish towns, it is relatively young: the modern city developed around Silkeborg Paper Mill, established in 1844, followed by a planned trading settlement in 1846, and Silkeborg received market-town status in 1900. The city lies among extensive forests and lakes along the Gudenå river and is particularly associated with outdoor recreation. Major sights include Museum Jorn, the Paper Museum and Museum Silkeborg, where the remarkably preserved Iron Age bog body known as the Tollund Man is displayed. The historic steamship Hjejlen has sailed the Silkeborg lakes since 1861 and still carries passengers towards Himmelbjerget, one of Denmark’s best-known viewpoints. With the lakes, forests and walking and cycling routes beginning close to the centre, Silkeborg is one of Denmark’s strongest bases for combining a city visit with the surrounding countryside.

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