Grenaa

History

Grenaa was first mentioned in 1231. It was granted the official Kong-certified status of a market town in 1445.

Economy

Grenaa has a lingering production industry just as in most of the western world. Development of tourism and educational institutions is sought to play a larger role for Grenaa in the future. The 5 km sandy Grenaa Beach is significant for tourism, with a hinterland of summer cottages, including many rentals. Grenaa is a regional shopping centre for central-eastern Djursland, an about 40 km x 40 km peninsula, protruding into the sea, between Denmark and Sweden at the entrance to the Baltic Sea.

Tourism

With 14.601 (2014) inhabitants Grenaa is also the largest town on the c. 40 km x 40 km peninsula, Djursland, where coastal tourism is important. Djursland has 22 sandy beaches along the three-sided 260 km coastline, with in the order of 7.000 summer-, and out of season-, rentals, primarily close to the coast and beaches. Grenaa Beach can be seen as the best of the beaches on Djursland, as it was elected as the best beach in Denmark in 2006. All coastlines in Denmark are accessible to the public by law, contributing to making the walkable and unspoilt coastlines of Djursland an asset for Grenaa's tourism.

Climate

The climate is coastal temperate, influenced by the Gulf Stream. Westerly and south-westerly winds are common. The yearly precipitation is 700 mm (28 in). The average summer temperature is 16 °C (61 °F). The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 0.5 °C (32.9 °F).

Demographics

The geographical region, Djursland, where Grenaa is situated on the east coast, has an average population density of 42 inhabitants per square km, as compared to 407 for neighboring England and 230 for Germany. This, combined with the long coastlines, means that it seldom gets crowded on the coast and beaches. Something that also applies to the geologically varied often roling-hill country-side and farmland of Djursland, of which a bit more than 10% is forest.

Transport

Grenaa has a commercial seaport that has been expanded in recent years. The town is connected by ferry to Halmstad in Sweden and the Danish island of Anholt.

The town is also connected by railway to Denmark's second largest city, Aarhus, 60 km to the south-east, and is served by Grenaa railway station, terminus of the Aarhus-Grenaa railway line. The station offers direct local train services to Aarhus and Odder as part of the Aarhus Light Rail system. The southern part of the town is also served by the railway halt Hessel.

The nearest airport with scheduled national and international flights is Aarhus Airport which lies 20 km to the south-west from Grenaa.

Points of interest

Grenaa Beach – 5 km of sandy beach starting at Grenaa Marina. Nominated as one of 2 best Danish beaches in 2006

Walks and hiking – North and south along the coastline from Grenaa, and along the other varied and accessible 260 km coastline of Djursland

Fishing and diving – from Grenaa Beach and east and south of Grenaa along the 50 km east coast of Djursland

Cliffs of Sangstrup and Karlby – Fossil rich coastal lime cliffs 8 km north of Grenaa

Kattegatcentret – Aquarium by the Sea in Grenaa with large sharks and a focus on Nordic salt water fish. 250 species of marine creatures from around the world, including seals.

Grenaa Marina – marine environment with cafes, etc.

Djurslands Museum & Danish Fisheries Museum in Grenaa

Baunhøj Mill, View overlooking Grenaa and countryside

Mushroom picking in the forests and non-farmed areas of Djursland from August, through autumn until first frost. Such as in, Plantagen, a wood starting at the southern end of Grenaa

Dansk Motor- og Maskinsamling / The Machine Collection with the largest collection of historical stationary engines in Northern Europe going back to 1860. Restored and functioning. 2 km from Grenaa

Sea trout and other fresh water fishing in Gren å, running through Grenaa, and in the adjoining, Sound of Kolind, canal system

Salt water fishing from the coasts north and south of Grenaa. Such as for sea trout, mackerel place and garfish

Notable people

Hans Broge (1822–1908) a Danish merchant and politician

Frits Hartvigson (1841–1919) a Danish pianist and teacher, spent many years in England

Christian Zacho (1843–1913) a Danish landscape painter of Danish beech woods

Ludvig Kabell (1853 in Vejlby – 1902) a Danish landscape painter

Hans Peter Mareus Neilsen Gammel (1854–1931) emigrated to Texas c.1880, an author on the laws of Texas and a bookseller

Julie Laurberg (1856–1925) an early Danish photographer, also active in women's rights

Peder Mørk Mønsted (1859 in Balle Mølle – 1941) a Danish realist painter of landscapes

Achton Friis (1871 in Trustrup – 1939) a Danish illustrator, painter, writer and explorer

August Krogh (1874–1949) a Danish professor at the dept. of animal physiology at the University of Copenhagen; awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1920

Olivia Holm-Møller (1875 in Homå – 1970) a Danish sculptor and painter of richly coloured, almost abstract paintings

Gerda Wegener (1886 in Hammelev – 1940) a Danish illustrator and painter of Art Nouveau and later Art Deco images of fashionable women

Søren Krarup (born 1937) a Danish pastor, writer, politician, member of the Folketing 2001–11

Rebekka Mathew (born 1986) former child star, half of the Faroese pop duo Creamy

Sport

Peter Koefoed (1902 – 1983 in Grenaa) a Danish field hockey player, competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics

Caspar Schrøder (1905 in Auning – 1989) a Danish fencer, competed at the 1936 Summer Olympics

Hans-Henrik Ørsted (born 1954) a Danish former professional track cyclist, team bronze medallist at the 1980 Summer Olympics

Steffen Rasmussen (born 1982 in Stenvad) a football goalkeeper with 404 caps with AGF Aarhus