Hadsten (locally [ˈhæ(ð)ˌste̝ˀn]) is a railway town in central Denmark with a population of 8,448 (1 January 2024),[1] and the second largest town in Favrskov Municipality after Hinnerup,[3] located in Region Midtjylland in Central Jutland. Until 1 January 2007 it was the site of the municipal council of the now former Hadsten municipality. Other names for Hadsten are: Hadsten Stationsby.

Hadsten
Town
Motto: 
"Et hestehoved foran"
Hadsten is located in Denmark
Hadsten
Hadsten
Location in Denmark
Hadsten is located in Denmark Central Denmark Region
Hadsten
Hadsten
Hadsten (Denmark Central Denmark Region)
Coordinates: 56°20′00″N 10°03′00″E / 56.33333°N 10.05000°E / 56.33333; 10.05000
CountryDenmark
RegionCentral Jutland Region
MunicipalityFavrskov Municipality
Founded3 September 1862
Government
 • TypeMunicipal council
25 members
A (11)
C (1)
F (1)
O (2)
V (9)
Ø (1)
 • MayorNils Borring (A)
Area
 • Total5.5 km2 (2.1 sq mi)
Elevation
18−56 m (−166 ft)
Population
 (2024)[1]
 • Total8,448
 • Density1,500/km2 (4,000/sq mi)
 • Gender[2]
4,132 males and 4,316 females
 • Municipality
49,377
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
8370
Area code(+45) 86
Websitehttp://www.favrskov.dk/

Hadsten has many educational institutions, including a technical school, gymnasium (Secondary school), and folk high school. Hadsten is famous for having one of the largest model railways in Europe.[4] Besides that, Hadsten has the shortest pedestrian street in Europe.

In Denmark, pronunciation of the town's name has often been the subject of confusion, as locals pronounce the name with a silent "d"; as "Ha'sten".

Etymology

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Hadsten was mentioned in text for the first time in 1432 as Halstiern, which seems like it comes from the old Danish word tjærn, meaning 'little lake'. The river in Hadsten, Lilleåen, did at the time form a little lake at Kollerup Gods.

When the train station was built, the town of Vinterslev was actually larger, but since the Post Office believe it would cause confusion with the town Vinderslev in Silkeborg Municipality, Hadsten Stationsby was chosen instead.[5]

History

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The flooding in 1910 (Søndergade)

Archaeological excavations around the town have shown that people have lived in Lilleådalen as far back as 2,000 BC in the Nordic Stone Age. The excavation at the water mill, which later became known as Hadsten Mølle, have revealed the remains of an even older water mill from around the 1190's in the early High Middle Ages. The present mill originates from the 1400s during the Clausholm Castle era, and later gained its present name of Hadsten Mølle.

Hadsten was mentioned for the first time in 1432 as Halstiern suggesting to come from the Old Norse word tjærn which means "little lake", while the neck also in Old Danish refers to the narrowing the small river valley have of Kollerup Gods.[further explanation needed] The water level this river at that time has stood 2–3 meters higher than it is today - which is why the valley was marked by lakes.

The modern town was founded on 3 September 1862, when Den østjyske længdebane (The Eastern Jutland Railway) opened. In 2012, the town celebrated its 150th anniversary, with a visit by Frederik, the Crown Prince of Denmark and his wife, Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark.[6] The town was at the plant of the East Jutland stretch of railway line, which was officially inaugurated on 3 September 1862. Therefore, this date is seen as the town's founding. In September 2012 celebrated its 150th anniversary with the visit of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.

One of the most advanced buildings in Denmark is in Hadsten; it functions as a café, library and auditorium.

Geography

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Hadsten’s average elevation above sea level is 44 meters.[citation needed]

Culture

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The Hadsten Grand Prix, a bicycle race, has been annually hosted in the city since 1993.

Urban districts of Hadsten

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  • Hadsten Stationsby, current center of the city.
  • Neder- and Over Hadsten, original villages, now integrated into the city.
  • Vinterslev, original village, now integrated into the city.

Notable people

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Sister cities

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Hadsten has one twinned city:[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b BY3: Population 1. January by urban areas, area and population density The Mobile Statbank from Statistics Denmark
  2. ^ BY1: Population 1. January by urban areas, age and sex The Mobile Statbank from Statistics Denmark
  3. ^ "De største byer" Archived 11 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  4. ^ Modelbane Europa Archived 21 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine(website)
  5. ^ Jensen, Børge. Hadsten i 150 år (2012) [Hadsten through 150 years].
  6. ^ "Mary gav bolden op for Østjylland". 8 September 2012.
  7. ^ "Ystävyyskuntatoiminta" (in Norwegian). City of Saarijärvi. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
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