Editing Aarhus (section)

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Aarhus}}

===Early history===
Founded in the early [[Viking Age]], Aarhus is one of the oldest cities in Denmark, along with [[Ribe]] and [[Hedeby]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gis.aarhus.dk/kommuneatlas/|title=Byhistoriske hovedtræk – Byens grundlæggelse|language=da|publisher=[[Aarhus Municipality]]|access-date=15 August 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130914192312/http://gis.aarhus.dk/kommuneatlas/|archive-date=14 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The original Aros settlement was situated on the northern shores of a [[Förden and East Jutland Fjorde|fjord]] by the mouth of the [[Aarhus River]], right where the city center is today. It quickly became a hub for sea-going trade due to its position on intersecting trade routes in the [[Danish straits]] and the fertile countryside. The trade, however, was not nearly as prominent as that in Ribe and Hedeby during the Viking Age, and it was primarily linked to Norway as evidenced by archaeological finds. A shipbuilding yard from the Viking Age was uncovered upriver in 2002 by archaeologists. It was located at a place formerly known as ''Snekkeeng'', or Snekke Meadow in English ('Snekke' is a type of [[longship]]), east of the [[Brabrand Lake]] close to [[Viby J|Viby]], and it was in use for more than 400 years from the late 700s till around the mid-1200s.<ref name=UBAS>{{cite journal|url=https://bora.uib.no/bora-xmlui/handle/1956/11335|title=Det ældste Århus – ca. 770–1200|publisher=[[Bergen University]]|author=Hans Skov|language=Danish|journal=UBAS Nordisk|volume=5|year=2008|pages=215–226|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Scale model of Aarhus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1|Model of the fortified Viking town Aros (late 900s), north is up]]
Archaeological evidence indicates that Aarhus was a town as early as the last quarter of the 8th&nbsp;century.<ref name="Kristeligt">{{cite news |last=Grymer |first=Claus |title=Vikingernes Aros mellem land og hav |url=http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/historie/vikingernes-aros-mellem-land-og-hav |newspaper=Kristeligt Dagblad |date=1 June 2005 |access-date=16 July 2014 |language=da}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Det Tidligste Århus |trans-title=The earliest Århus |url=http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/tidligaros.htm |url-status=live |publisher=The Viking Museum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421083828/http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/tidligaros.htm |archive-date=21 April 2017 |access-date=15 August 2014 |language=da}}</ref> Discoveries after a 2003 archaeological dig included half-buried [[longhouse]]s, firepits, glass pearls and a road dated to the late 700s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/norrevold.htm|title=Excavations – Nørrevold|language=da|publisher=The Viking Museum (Moesgård Museum)|access-date=15 August 2014|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090828/http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/norrevold.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Several excavations in the inner city since the 1960s have revealed wells, streets, homes and workshops, and inside the buildings and adjoining archaeological layers, everyday utensils like combs, jewellery and basic multi-purpose tools from approximately the year 900 have been unearthed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/udgravninger.htm |title=Excavations |language=da |publisher=The Viking Museum (Moesgård Museum) |access-date=15 August 2014 |archive-date=14 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814094749/http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/udgravninger.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> The early town was fortified with defensive earthen ramparts in the first part of the 900s, possibly in the year 934 on order from king [[Gorm the Old]]. The fortifications were later improved and expanded by his son [[Harald Bluetooth]], encircling the settlement much like the defence structures found at [[Viking ring fortress]]es elsewhere.<ref name="Kristeligt" /> Together with the town's geographical placement, this suggests that Aros became an important military centre in the Viking Age. There are also strong indications of a former royal residence from the same period in [[Viby J|Viby]], a few kilometres south of the Aarhus city centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tilbage til vikingetiden |trans-title=Back to the Viking Age |url=https://www.vikingemuseet.dk/om-udstillingen-vikingernes-aros/ |publisher=Vikingemuseet (MOMU) |language=da}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kaiser |first=Jens |title=Vikingernes Viby |url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/aarhus/ECE4433725/Vikingernes-Viby/ |publisher=Jyllands-Posten Aarhus |date=12 June 2005 |language=da}}</ref>

The centre of Aarhus was originally a [[Germanic paganism|pagan burial site]] until Aarhus's first Christian church, Holy Trinity Church, a timber structure, was built upon it during the reign of [[Frode]], King of Jutland, around 900.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Aarhus_0045-0059.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Aarhus_0045-0059.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Kirkerne i Århus|publisher=Danmarks Kirker: Nationalmuseet|page=52|access-date=16 July 2014 |language=da}}</ref> The [[Diocese of Aarhus|bishopric of Aarhus]] dates back to at least 948 when [[Adam of Bremen]] reported that the missionary bishop [[Reginbrand]] of Aros attended the [[synod of Ingelheim]] in Germany,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/aarhus-domkirke/?tx_historyview_pi1%5Blang%5D=1&cHash=a83dfe233ede9644167a9b5ea9aa35a4|publisher=Aarhus University|title=Aarhus Cathedral|date=2 July 2012|access-date=26 June 2016|archive-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325000841/http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/aarhus-domkirke/?chash=a83dfe233ede9644167a9b5ea9aa35a4&tx_historyview_pi1&#91;lang&#93;=1|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_Oldtid/Yngre_Jernalder/Et_samfund_vendt_imod_havet_800-1050_e.Kr/By_efter_by|title=By efter by|date=31 March 2014 |publisher=[[Gyldendal]]|access-date=16 July 2014 |language=da}}</ref> but the late Viking Age during the [[Christianization of Scandinavia|Christianisation of Scandinavia]] was a turbulent and violent time with several naval attacks on the town, such as [[Harald Hardrada]]'s assault around 1050, when the Holy Trinity Church was burned to the ground.<ref name="Kristeligt"/><ref name="year">{{cite web|url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/svend-estridsen-ca-1019-107476/|publisher=Aarhus University|title=Svend Estridsen, ca. 1019–1074/76|access-date=27 June 2016|language=da}}</ref> Despite the conflicts, Aarhus continued to prosper from the trade and the finding of six [[runestone]]s in and around Aarhus indicates the city had some significance around the year 1000, as only wealthy nobles traditionally used them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/runesten.htm |title=Vikingernes Aros |publisher=The Viking Museum (Moesgård Museum) |access-date=16 July 2014 |language=da |archive-date=11 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811222222/http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/runesten.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Ancient See of Aarhus|bishopric diocese]] was obliterated for almost a hundred years after Reginbrand in 988, but in 1060 a new bishop [[Christian (bishop of Aarhus)|Christian]] was ordained and he founded a new church in Aarhus, ''Sankt Nicolai Domkirke'' ([[St. Nicholas]] [[Cathedral]]), this time in stone. It was erected outside the town fortifications, and stood finished in 1070 at the site where [[Church of Our Lady (Aarhus)|Church of Our Lady]] stands today, but only an underground crypt remains.<ref name="Danmarkshistorien">{{cite web|url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/aarhus-1/?tx_historyview_pi1%5Blang%5D=1&cHash=42dfd94aaa459af3505372f8b2af029a|publisher=Aarhus University|title=Aarhus|access-date=15 August 2014|archive-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724213841/http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/aarhus-1/?tx_historyview_pi1%5Blang%5D=1&cHash=42dfd94aaa459af3505372f8b2af029a|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bora.uib.no/bora-xmlui/bitstream/handle/1956/11335/det-aeldste-arhus-ca-770-1200.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|title=Church and Priory of Our Lady |website=danmarkshistorien.dk|publisher=Aarhus University|date=24 May 2017 |access-date=27 June 2017}}</ref>

===Middle Ages===
[[File:Århus Katedral2.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Aarhus Cathedral. The cathedral was founded in 1190 and the original version stood finished in the year 1300.]]
The growing influence of the Church during the [[Middle Ages]] gradually turned Aarhus, with its bishopric, into a prosperous religious centre. Many public and religious buildings were built in and around the town; notably [[Aarhus Cathedral]] was initiated in the late 12th&nbsp;century by the influential bishop [[Peder Vognsen]], and around 1200, Aros had a total of four churches. The 13th century also marks a thorough reorganisation, erasing most of the town's original layout with new streets, relocations, dismantling and new constructions. The Church clearly had the upper hand in the Aarhus region during medieval times, and the large [[Ancient See of Aarhus|bishopric of Aarhus]] prospered and expanded territory, reaching as far as [[Viborg, Denmark|Viborg]] in extent.<ref name=UBAS /> In 1441, [[Christopher III]] issued the oldest known charter granting market town status, although similar privileges may have existed as far back as the 12th&nbsp;century. The charter is the first official recognition of the town as a regional power and is by some considered Aarhus's birth certificate.<ref name="Danmarkshistorien" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://aarhuswiki.dk/wiki/%C3%85rhus_k%C3%B8bstads_privilegium |title=Stenbroen |website=AarhusWiki |publisher=Aarhus Stadsarkiv |language=da |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref>

The commercial and religious status spurred town growth, and in 1477 the defensive earthen ramparts, which had ringed the town since the Viking Age, were abandoned to accommodate expansion. Parts of the ramparts still exist today and can be experienced as steep slopes at the riverside, and they have also survived in some place names of the inner city, including the streets of [[Volden, Aarhus|Volden]] (The Rampart) and [[Graven, Aarhus|Graven]] (The Moat).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/voldgraven.htm |title=The Moat |language=da |publisher=The Viking Museum |access-date=15 August 2014 |archive-date=19 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090527/http://www.hum.au.dk/moesgaard/vikingemuseet/voldgraven.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://aarhuswiki.dk/wiki/Historien_om_Aarhus |title=Historien om Aarhus |language=da |publisher=Aarhus Stadsarkiv |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref> Aarhus grew to become one of the largest cities in the country by the early 16th&nbsp;century. In 1657, [[octroi]] was imposed in larger Danish cities which changed the layout and face of Aarhus over the following decades. Wooden city walls were erected to prevent smuggling, with gates and toll booths on the major thoroughfares, [[Mejlgade]] and [[Studsgade]]. The city gates funnelled most traffic through a few streets where merchant quarters were built.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gis.aarhus.dk/kommuneatlas/registranter/stenbro/side6.htm |title=Stenbroen |website=Aarhus Kommunes digitale korttjenester |publisher=Aarhus Kommune |language=da |access-date=22 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072940/http://gis.aarhus.dk/kommuneatlas/registranter/stenbro/side6.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

In the 17th&nbsp;century, Aarhus entered a period of recession as it suffered blockades and bombardments during the [[Dano-Swedish War (1658–60)|Swedish wars]] and trade was dampened by the preferential treatment of the capital by the state.{{sfn|Olsen|2000|p=124}} Not until the middle of the 18th&nbsp;century did growth return, in large part due to trade with the large agricultural [[catchment area]]s around the city; grain, particularly, proved to be a remunerative export.<ref name="Danmarkshistorien"/> The first factories were established at this time, as the [[Industrial Revolution]] reached the country, and in 1810 the harbour was expanded to accommodate growing trade.<ref name=dcfb>{{cite web |url=http://dendigitalebyport.byhistorie.dk/koebstaeder/by.aspx?koebstadID=74 |title=Århus: Byhistorie |publisher=Dansk Center for Byhistorie |access-date=16 July 2014 |language=da}}</ref>

===Industrialisation===
[[File:Aarhus set fra bakkerne i Riis Skov.jpg|right|thumb|View of Aarhus, 1850]]
Aarhus began to prosper in the 1830s as the [[History of Denmark#Industrialisation|industrial revolution]] reached the city and factories with steam-driven machinery became more productive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ddb.byhistorie.dk/koebstaeder/by.aspx?koebstadID=74|title=Danmarks Købstæder: Århus: Byhistorie|publisher=Dansk Center for Byhistorie|access-date=25 January 2023 |language=da}}</ref> In 1838, the electoral laws were reformed leading to elections for the 15 seats on the city council. The rules were initially very strict, allowing only the wealthiest citizens to run. In the 1844 elections, only 174 citizens qualified out of a total population of more than 7,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aarhus.dk/da/politik/Byraadet/Byens-raad-dengang/Byens-raad-1838-1868.aspx|title=Byens raad 1838–1868|language=da|first=Aarhus|last=Kommune|website=Aarhus Kommune|publisher=Aarhus Municipality|access-date=21 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129072144/https://www.aarhus.dk/da/politik/Byraadet/Byens-raad-dengang/Byens-raad-1838-1868.aspx|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first city council, mainly composed of wealthy merchants and industrialists, quickly looked to improve the harbour, situated along the [[Aarhus River]]. Larger ships and growing freight volumes made a river harbour increasingly impractical. In 1840, the harbour was moved to the coast, north of the river, where it became the largest industrial harbour outside Copenhagen over the following 15 years. From the outset, the new harbour was controlled by the city council, as it is to this day.<ref name="Byhistorie.dk">{{cite web|url=http://blog.byhistorie.dk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/I-medgang-og-modgang-rapport-over-udviklingen-af-den-moderne-havn-i-Aarhus-fra-o.-1840-2006.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://blog.byhistorie.dk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/I-medgang-og-modgang-rapport-over-udviklingen-af-den-moderne-havn-i-Aarhus-fra-o.-1840-2006.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|last=Andersen|first=Lasse|title=Rapport over udviklingen af den moderne havn i Aarhus fra o. 1840–2006|website=Dansk Center for Byhistorie|access-date=27 June 2016|language=da}}</ref>

[[File:Preussiske soldater inddriver kvæg ved Domkirken. Set fra Mejlgade (Kunstner Hans Frederik Meyer Visby) 1864.jpg|thumb|Prussian soldiers herding cattle by Aarhus cathedral, 1864]]
During the [[First Schleswig War]], Aarhus was occupied by German troops from 21 June to 24 July 1849. The city was spared any fighting, but in [[Vejlby]] north of the city a cavalry skirmish known as [[Skirmish of Århus|Rytterfægtningen]] took place which stopped the German advance through Jutland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aarhus.dk/sitecore/content/Subsites/AarhusStadsarkiv/Home/Servicesider/Nyheder/2014/3-kvartal/Ugens-Aarhushistorie-Rytterfaegtningen.aspx?sc_lang=da|title=Ugens Aarhushistorie – Rytterfægtningen|website=Aarhus Stadsarkiv|publisher=Aarhus Kommune|language=da|access-date=22 November 2014|archive-date=20 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620103806/http://www.aarhus.dk/sitecore/content/Subsites/AarhusStadsarkiv/Home/Servicesider/Nyheder/2014/3-kvartal/Ugens-Aarhushistorie-Rytterfaegtningen.aspx?sc_lang=da|url-status=dead}}</ref> The war and occupation left a notable impact on the city as many streets, particularly on [[Frederiksbjerg]], are named after Danish officers of the time. Fifteen years later, in 1864, the city was occupied again, this time for seven months, during the [[Second Schleswig War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stiften.dk/nyheder/1864-jylland-besat-af-tyske-tropper|title=1864 Jylland besat af tyske tropper|first=Ivan Freund|last=Nielsen|publisher=Aarhus Stiftstidende|language=da|date=10 October 2014|access-date=22 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208170205/http://stiften.dk/nyheder/1864-jylland-besat-af-tyske-tropper|archive-date=8 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/perioder/det-unge-demokrati-1848-1901/treaarskrigen-1848-50-1-slesvigske-krig/|title=Det unge demokrati 1848–1901|publisher=Aarhus University|first=Erik Strange|last=Petersen|language=da|access-date=27 June 2016|archive-date=19 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119145912/http://danmarkshistorien.dk/perioder/det-unge-demokrati-1848-1901/treaarskrigen-1848-50-1-slesvigske-krig/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In spite of wars and occupation, the city continued to expand and develop. In 1851, the [[octroi]] was abolished and the city walls were removed to provide easier access for trade. Regular [[steamship]] links with Copenhagen had begun with the ''[[Dandy (paddle steamer)|Jylland]]'' in 1825–26 and the ''[[PS Quentin Durward (1823)|Dania]]'' (1827–36), and in 1862 Jutland's first railway was established between Aarhus and [[Randers]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Fælles kræfter. Danske dampskibe indtil 1870, bind III |last=Munchaus Petersen |first=Holger |year=1986 |publisher=Fiskerimuseets Forlag |location=Esbjerg |isbn=87-87453-25-8 |page=89 |language=da}}</ref><ref name="Byhistorie.dk"/>

[[File:Havne udsigt fra dokken.jpg|thumb|right|''Toldkammeret'' (Custom House, 1898)]]
In the second half of the 19th&nbsp;century, industrialisation came into full effect and a number of new industries emerged around production and refinement of agricultural products, especially oil and butter. Many companies from this time would come to leave permanent iconic marks on Aarhus. The [[Ceres Brewery]] was established in 1856 and served as Aarhus's local brewery for more than 150 years, gradually expanding into an industrial district known as ''Ceres-grunden'' (lit.: the Ceres-ground).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceres.dk/Default.aspx?ID=25|last=Ceres|title=History|access-date=27 June 2016|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328140433/http://www.ceres.dk/Default.aspx?ID=25|archive-date=28 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoflev.dk/article.asp?id=134|last=Ceres|title=Ceres Bryggerierne A/S|year=2013|website=Hoflev|access-date=27 June 2016|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507181622/http://www.hoflev.dk/article.asp?id=134|archive-date=7 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aarhusportalen.dk/ceres-grunden.asp|title=Ceres-grunden|language=da|publisher=Aarhusportalen (Jyllands-Posten)|access-date=11 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814092510/http://www.aarhusportalen.dk/ceres-grunden.asp|archive-date=14 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1896, local farmers and businessmen created [[Korn- og Foderstof Kompagniet]] (KFK), focused on grain and [[Animal feed|feedstuffs]]. KFK established departments all over the country, while its headquarters remained in Aarhus where its large grain silos still stand today.{{sfn|Gejl|1996|p=1...}}{{sfn|Jansen|1971|p=1...}} [[Otto Mønsted]] created the Danish Preserved Butter Company in 1874, focusing on butter export to England, China and Africa and later founded the Aarhus Butterine Company in 1883, the first Danish margarine factory.<ref name="Otto">{{cite web|url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/otto-moensted-1839-1916/|publisher=Aarhus University|title=Otto Mønsted (1839–1916)|date=26 May 2015|access-date=27 June 2016|language=da}}</ref> His company became an important local employer, with factory employees increasing from 100 in 1896 to 1,000 in 1931, partaking in the effective transformation of the city from a regional trade hub to an industrial centre.{{sfn|Travis|1998|p=336}} Other new factories of note included the [[dockyard]] [[Aarhus Flydedok]] and the [[oil mill]] [[Aarhus Oliefabrik A/S|Århus Oliefabrik]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KVFpAAAAMAAJ&q=Aarhus+Flydedok+%C3%85rhus+Oliefabrik|title=The Scandinavian Year Book: A Comprehensive Guide to ... - Page 512|publisher=Dawson|year=1953|page=512}}</ref>

Aarhus became the largest provincial city in the country by the turn of the century and the city marketed itself as the "Capital of Jutland". The population increased from 15,000 in 1870 to 52,000 in 1901 and, in response, the city annexed large land areas to develop new residential quarters such as [[Trøjborg]], [[Frederiksbjerg]] and [[Marselisborg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gis.aarhus.dk/kommuneatlas/registranter/frederiksbjerg/side1.htm |title=Frederiksbjerg Øst – Århus |language=da |author=Magistratens 2. Afdeling |year=1979 |website=Kommuneatlas |publisher=Aarhus Municipality |access-date=15 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304022939/http://gis.aarhus.dk/kommuneatlas/registranter/frederiksbjerg/side1.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Many of its cultural institutions were also established at this time such as [[Aarhus Theatre]] (1900), the original [[Vester Allé 12|State Library]] (1902), [[Aarhus University]] (1928) and several hospitals.<ref>[[Aarhus County Hospital]], 1882, [[Aarhus Municipal Hospital]] (1893), [[Marselisborg Hospital]] (1913).</ref>

===Second World War===
[[File:7487068-70-r-siden-eksplosionen-p-aarhus-havn---1.jpg|thumb|Devastation in the wake of the [[1944 explosion in Aarhus|explosion on 4 July 1944]] in the harbour]]
On 9 April 1940, [[Nazi Germany]] invaded Denmark, occupying Aarhus the following day; the occupation lasted for five years. This was a destructive period with major disasters, loss of life and economic depression. The [[Port of Aarhus]] became a hub for supplies to the [[Baltics]] and [[Norway]], while the surrounding rail network supplied the [[Atlantic Wall]] in west Jutland and cargo headed for Germany. Combined, these factors resulted in a strong German presence, especially in 1944–45.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aarhuswiki.dk/wiki/Den_tyske_bes%C3%A6ttelse|title=Aarhus Besættelse|publisher=[[Vester Allé 12#Aarhus City Archives|Aarhus City Archives]]|access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Danish resistance fighters injured during fighting with German troops in Aarhus, Bispetorv, 5 May, 1945.jpg|thumb|Resistance fighters on [[Bispetorv, Aarhus|Bispetorv]] fighting with German soldiers, 5 May 1945]]
Small [[Danish resistance movement|resistance groups]] first appeared in 1941–42 but the first to co-ordinate with the [[Danish Freedom Council|Freedom Council]] was the [[Samsing Group]], responsible for most operations from early 1943.{{sfn|Hansen|1946|p=13}}{{sfn|Alenius|2002|p=34}} The Samsing group, along with others in and around Aarhus, was dismantled in June 1944 when [[Grethe Bartram|Grethe "Thora" Bartram]] turned her family and acquaintances over to German authorities.{{sfn|Kristensen|2010|p=52}} In response, requests for assistance were sent to contacts in England and in October 1944 the [[Royal Air Force]] [[Aarhus Air Raid|bombed the Gestapo headquarters]] successfully destroying archives and obstructing the ongoing investigation.{{sfn|Zabecki|1999|pp=1350–1}}{{sfn|Trenear-Harvey|2009|p=2}}

In the summer of 1944 the Copenhagen-based resistance group [[Holger Danske (resistance group)|Holger Danske]] helped establish the [[5 Kolonne]] group and an [[Special Operations Executive|SOE]] agent arrived from England to liaison with the [[L-groups]].{{sfn|Hauerbach|1945|p=8}} Subsequently, resistance operations escalated which was countered with [[Schalburgtage]] terror operations by the [[Peter group]].{{sfn|Hauerbach|1945|p=22}}{{sfn|Knudsen|2009|p=76}} The increasingly destructive occupation was compounded when an [[1944 explosion in Aarhus|ammunition barge exploded]] in July 1944, destroying much of the harbour area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://stiften.dk/aarhus/70-aar-siden-eksplosionen-paa-aarhus-havn|title=70 aar siden eksplosionen|newspaper=[[Århus Stiftstidende]]|access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> On 5 May 1945 German forces in Denmark surrendered but during the transitional period fighting broke out resulting in 22 dead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jyllands-posten.dk/aarhus/ECE4463374/blodbad-pa-bispetorvet/|title=Blodbad på Bispetorvet|date=10 April 1948 |publisher=[[Jyllandsposten]]|access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> On 8 May the British [[1st The Royal Dragoons|Royal Dragoons]] entered the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.befrielsen1945.dk/erindringer/indsendte/205.html|title=The Royal Dragoons ankomst til Danmark|publisher=5. Maj-Komiteen|access-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415165405/http://www.befrielsen1945.dk/erindringer/indsendte/205.html|archive-date=15 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Post-World War II years===
In the 1970s and 1980s the city entered a period of rapid economic growth and the service sector overtook trade, industry and crafts as the leading sector of employment for the first time.<ref name=dhdk/> Workers gradually began commuting to the city from most of east and central Jutland as the region became more interconnected. The student population tripled between 1965 and 1977 turning the city into a Danish centre of research and education.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.au.dk/om/profil/historie/aarstal/|title=VIGTIGE ÅRSTAL|publisher=Aarhus Universitet|access-date=23 November 2014}}</ref> The growing and comparably young population initiated a period of creativity and optimism; [[Gaffa (magazine)|Gaffa]] and the [[KaosPilot]] school were founded in 1983 and 1991 respectively, and Aarhus was at the centre of a renaissance in Danish rock and pop music launching bands and musicians such as [[TV-2 (band)|TV2]], [[Gnags]], [[Thomas Helmig]], [[Bamses Venner]], [[Anne Dorte Michelsen]], [[Mek Pek]] and [[Shit & Chanel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dengamleby.dk/aarhusrocks/|title=Aarhus Rocks|publisher=Den Gamle By|access-date=23 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112122249/http://www.dengamleby.dk/aarhusrocks/|archive-date=12 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nordeafonden.dk/aarhus-rocks-byen-og-musikken-1960-2014|title=Byen og Musikken 1960–2914|publisher=NordeaFonden|access-date=23 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725070116/http://nordeafonden.dk/aarhus-rocks-byen-og-musikken-1960-2014|archive-date=25 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/Jylland/Jylland_-_byer/%C3%85rhus/%C3%85rhus_(Musikliv)|title=Aarhus – rytmisk musik|publisher=[[Gyldendal]]|access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>

=== The 2000s ===
[[File:Aarhus docklands by night.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Urban development in Aarhus city centre, 2013]]
Since the turn of the millennium, Aarhus has seen an unprecedented building boom with many new institutions, infrastructure projects, city districts and recreational areas. Several of the construction projects are among the largest in Europe, such as the [[Aarhus University Hospital|New University Hospital]] (DNU) and the harbourfront redevelopment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archello.com/project/aarhus-university-hospital---auh|title=Hospital City on a Human Scale - the New University Hospital in Aarhus|publisher=Archello|access-date=25 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://trap.lex.dk/Aarhus_Havn|title=Aarhus Havn|date=November 2019 |publisher=lex: TrapDanmark|access-date=25 January 2023 |language=da}}</ref>

Both the skyline and land use of the inner city is changing, as former industrial sites are being redeveloped into new city districts and neighbourhoods. Starting in 2008, the former docklands known as ''De Bynære Havnearealer'' (The Peri-urban Harbour-areas), and closest to the city seaside, are being converted to new mixed-use districts. It is among the largest harbourfront projects in Europe. The northern part dubbed ''Aarhus Ø'' ([[Aarhus Docklands]]) is almost finished as of 2018, while the southern district dubbed ''Sydhavnskvarteret'' (The South-harbour neighbourhood) is only starting to be developed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aarhus.dk/da/politik/Politikker-og-planer/Byudvikling-og-planlaegning/De-Bynaere-Havnearealer.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422202630/https://www.aarhus.dk/da/politik/Politikker-og-planer/Byudvikling-og-planlaegning/De-Bynaere-Havnearealer.aspx|url-status=dead|title=De Bynære Havnearealer|archive-date=22 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessaarhus.dk/da/Fremtidens-Aarhus/Udviklingsomraader/Aarhus-Oe.aspx|title=Business Aarhus, Aarhus Ø|publisher=Business Aarhus|access-date=20 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129062245/http://www.businessaarhus.dk/da/Fremtidens-Aarhus/Udviklingsomraader/Aarhus-Oe.aspx|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.aarhus.dk/da/erhverv/byggeri-og-grunde/Byudvikling/Sydhavnskvarteret.aspx Sydhavnskvarteret] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423033243/http://www.aarhus.dk/da/erhverv/byggeri-og-grunde/Byudvikling/Sydhavnskvarteret.aspx |date=23 April 2018}} {{in lang|da}}</ref> The adjacent site of Frederiks Plads at the former [[DSB (railway company)|DSB]] repair facilities have been under construction since 2014 as a new business and residential quarter.<ref>Official homepage: [http://frederiksplads.dk/ Frederiks Plads] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502171159/http://frederiksplads.dk/ |date=2 May 2018}} {{in lang|da}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frederiksplads.dk/projekter/id%C3%A9en.aspx|title=Frederiks Plads|publisher=NCC Property Development A/S|access-date=20 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129040101/http://www.frederiksplads.dk/projekter/id%C3%A9en.aspx|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfmoller.com/g/Frederiks-Plads-ny-bydel-i-centrum-af-Aarhus-i13235.html|title=Frederiks Plads|publisher=C. F. Møller|access-date=20 November 2014}}</ref> The main bus terminal close by is planned to be moved to the central railway station and the site will be redeveloped to a new residential neighbourhood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aarhus.lokalavisen.dk/stor-ombygning-af-aarhus-h-fremrykkes-/20140530/artikler/706039475/1449|title=Stor ombygning af Aarhus H Fremrykkes|publisher=Lokalavisen Aarhus|access-date=20 November 2014|archive-date=7 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207153126/http://aarhus.lokalavisen.dk/stor-ombygning-af-aarhus-h-fremrykkes-/20140530/artikler/706039475/1449|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessaarhus.dk/da/Fremtidens-Aarhus/Udviklingsomraader/Rutebilstationen.aspx|title=Business Aarhus, Rutebilstation|publisher=Business Aarhus|access-date=20 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129062121/http://www.businessaarhus.dk/da/Fremtidens-Aarhus/Udviklingsomraader/Rutebilstationen.aspx|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Elsewhere in the inner city, the site of the former [[Ceres Brewery|Ceres breweries]] was redeveloped in 2012–2019 as a new mixed use neighbourhood known as [[CeresByen]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ceresbyen.dk/ |title=CeresByen.dk|publisher=CeresByen |access-date=20 November 2014}}</ref>

Construction of [[Aarhus Letbane]], the first [[light rail]] system in the country, commenced in 2013, and the first increment was finished in December 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://stiften.dk/aarhus/Letbanen-aabner-torsdag-med-gratis-ture/artikel/491217|title=Letbanen åbner torsdag med gratis ture|trans-title=The light rail opens thursday with free rides|newspaper=Århus Stiftstidende|author=Camilla Wilhardt Boesen|date=21 December 2017|access-date=20 November 2014}}</ref> Since then, the lightrail service has been expanded with two intercity sections to the towns of [[Odder]] and [[Grenå]], respectively, and also includes a northward leg to the suburb of [[Lisbjerg]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://stiften.dk/aarhus/Sidste-tests-Snart-er-Odderbanen-klar-til-passagerer/artikel/526303|title=Sidste tests: Snart er Odderbanen klar til passagerer|trans-title=Last tests: Soon Odderbanen is ready for passengers|newspaper=Århus Stiftstidende|date=31 July 2018|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802235702/https://stiften.dk/aarhus/Sidste-tests-Snart-er-Odderbanen-klar-til-passagerer/artikel/526303|archive-date=2 August 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.letbanen.dk/nyheder/nyheder/2019/grenaa-driftsstart/|title=Letbanen åbner for passagerdrift til Grenaa 30. april|date=24 April 2019 |publisher=Letbanen|access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref> The light rail system is planned to tie many other suburbs closer to central Aarhus in the future, with the next phase including local lines to [[Brabrand]] in the east and [[Hinnerup]] to the north.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.letbanen.dk/nyheder/nyheder/2018/33-etape-2-ruller-videre/|title=Grønt lys fra politikerne: Etape 2 ruller videre|date=26 June 2018 |trans-title=Green light from the politicians: Stage 2 rolls on|publisher=Letbanen|access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref>

Accelerating growth since the early 2000s, brought the inner urban area to roughly 260,000 inhabitants by 2014. The rapid growth is expected to continue until at least 2030 when Aarhus municipality has set an ambitious target for 375,000 inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aarhus.dk/da/aarhus/FremtidensAarhus1.aspx|title=Fremtidens Aarhus|publisher=Aarhus Kommune|access-date=20 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129063823/http://www.aarhus.dk/da/aarhus/FremtidensAarhus1.aspx|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>