We have only a few days left in Denmark and there are many things to see and do. Today (again this was a bit more than 7 years ago) we are going to some caves where cheese is stored for proper aging and we are also going to go back in Danish history about 150 to 200 years so.
First to Mønsted Limestone Caves, bring a coat, as it is a bit on the chilly side underground. All of the links are in English unless noted otherwise.
http://www.monsted-kalkgruber.dk/en/attractions/the-great-caves
http://www.monsted-kalkgruber.dk/en
http://www.strahlen.org/vp/dk/monsted/monsted.php
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=moensted+limestone+cave&qpvt=moensted+limestone+cave&FORM=IGRE
The articles following here is copied from www.gearthacks.com
Description: When the Danes became Christians more than 1000 years ago, a new extra source of income was created, "Limestonework and limeburning". With the new religion churches followed which were built of stone. The stone was held together using burnt limestone slaked to mortar, a new building material in Denmark at that time.
Under Mønsted a limestone mountain was found. The limestone which was earlier a useless stone now became a source of income. In the space of 200 years more than 2000 churches were build, equalling 10 a year. This building activity gave Mønsted it's start in the limestone industry, which ended finally in 1978.
Mønsted is only 14 kilometres from the town of Viborg, which in the middel ages was known as the "Capital of Jutland". Along with it`s cathedral there were 12 churches, convents, monasteries and many houses. A bishop who was willing to build and rich citizens meant that Mønsted always had costumers for the burnt limestone, which meant a steady production from the mine. In the sixteen hundreds when Viborg experienced a depression, the limestone production carried on. Mønsted had long before found new markets elsewhere. In 1860 when production was at it`s peak, there were about 3000 loads of burnt limestone delivered to customers all over Jutland from Mønsted and Daugbjerg.
In 1872 the farmers sold all the rights of limestone to the industry "Mønsted Kalkværker" which later became a part of "De jydske Kalkværker". The limestone was no longer only used for mortar. The metal industry and the chemical industry also bought the limestone and the agricultural industry used the limestone for the fields. Even the worst limestone was for sale, and the once before useless rocks of flint were used as fillings in streets, foundations and brickwork. The limestoneproduction was now full time work throughout the year. During winter people worked in the caves and during summer in the open limestone quarry. Despite the use of wagons and hoists, the limestone was still hewed with hoes.
In 1953 the work in the caves ended and two years later also in the limestone quarry, but the limekiln continued to burn limestone from Djursland untill 1978.
There are 200 tons of cheese in Mønsted Limestone Caves. The cheese is from a small dairy in the town of Vellev. After being brought here the cheese spends 8 weeks maturing in the caves. The cheese is turned once every week. The air humidity of 98% and a temperature of 8 degrees create perfect conditions for the maturing of the cheese. Most of the cheese is exported to Germany where it can be bought as "Cavecheese". You can also buy the cheese in the kiosk here in Mønsted Limestone Caves. This is perhaps the best souvenir you can get from a visit to Mønsted Limestone Caves.
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It was definitely on the cool side, but not just temperature wise, in the caves. It was very interesting to see these massive man made tunnels underground. This work took place over almost 900 years. Unfortunately, the section where the cheeses were stored was closed to the public due to some maintenance work, so we didn't get to sample.
Here are our photos from that "under the earth" excursion.
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| Norma and I in one of the cave sections. |
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| In another section |
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| My niece Nina and Norma |
With the average temperature under ground being 8 deg. C / 46.4 deg. F the camera batteries bit the dust, and we were not able to take any more photos. I have always chuckled at the requirement to wear hardhats in such places. If the caves were to collapse the hats would be of no use whatsoever, not even for body identification purposes, however, they do offer a bit of protection in case of small pieces dropping off of the ceiling.
Back out into daylight and then on to Aarhus and the Old Town of Aarhus. Back in my seafaring days I had been to Aarhus, or as it is also spelled in Danish Århus, a number of times but that was back in the early 60's, in other words, about 45 years ago. Århus is the second largest city in Denmark. Here are a number of links with good information;
and there is a lot more available so just google Aarhus.
Aarhus is also famous for its Cathedral and it dates back to the beginning of the 13th century, or from a time about 290 years before Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World, just to put things into perspective.
Unfortunately we didn't make it to the cathedral.
The Old Town was a surprise to me, a welcome surprise I must say. It was delightful to see history restored and preserved in such a fine fashion.
Again a google search for Old Town Aarhus or Old City Aarhus will provide many links.
Here are some of our photos from that afternoon. This was also the first time, after almost three weeks in the Denmark, that we saw a piece of trash on the street, in this case an empty cigarette pack.
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| Nina and Norma posing in front of an impressive three story building. |
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| Norma on the second floor balcony. |
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| A close up |
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| Interesting style, a balcony with a turn in it. |
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| Norma enjoying the cool waters of the North Sea. |
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| Come on in, the water is fine. |
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Once a farrier, always a farrier.
He is actually removing stones from the shoe sole. |
So we had a nice dinner and when it came time to pay I paid, with my American Credit Cards, which was accepted. When the ticket was brought to the table I mentioned there was not place to add a tip to which the waitress replied "I don't need your tip, Sir. In this country we receive proper pay for the work done and do not have to depend on the handouts of others". Well, excuse me - I find the statement very much to the point but also a bit ironic as a large percentage of the Danish population receive very generous benefits under the "welfare" system in place, which is in fact "handouts of others" , albeit mandatory handouts since the funds are generated in the form of taxes.
Another good day comes to an end.
More to follow in the next post.
