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Photo: User:Nico-dk / Nils Jepsen, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Another well-known architectural landmark of Aarhus, and a bit of a change of pace from the modern style that predominates over larger parts of the city, Varna Palace is a palatial Neoclassical resort pavilion. It was designed for the Danish National Exhibition of 1909 by native Eggert Achen and is found in the outskirts of the Marselisborg Forests, south of the inner city. The Varna Palace now serves as the headquarters of the local Odd Fellows Society, but with a public onsite restaurant.
Varna Palæet or Odd Fellow Palæet Varna is a building in Aarhus, Denmark situated in the Marselisborg Forests on Ørneredevej. Varna Palæet was built in 1908 by designs of the Danish architect Eggert Achen in Neoclassical style for the Danish National Exhibition of 1909. Today the building is owned by the Odd Fellows society which use it for activities within the organization. The building houses a restaurant on a lease basis and it is a well-known landmark in Aarhus and its southern forests.
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Marselisborg Dyrehave
This is an enclosed section of the forests with free roaming deer; a sort of low-key zoo or safari park. The landscape is beautiful, hilly, and less thickly-forested than the surrounding forests. There is an extra closed facilty with wild boars in the far northern end. The deer park is open from dawn to dusk year round, but for safety's sake it's best to avoid visiting during mating season in the autumn (Sep-Nov), and in the early summer when the does are nursing their calves (June-July). Don't feed the animals.
This lovely stretch of white sand south of town benefits from a stunning location nestled against the hilly greenery of the Marselisborg Forests, yet within easy walking distance of popular sights like the Varna Palace, the circular pier Den Uendelige Bro, and the Marselisborg Deer Park, as well as a number of restaurants. Popular with swimmers, sunbathers, and picnickers, Ballehage boasts calm and clean waters, as well as amenities such as toilets and changing areas.
Marselisborg Mindepark, Memorial Park
This memorial park offers a panoramic view of the Bay of Aarhus. Many larger events are held here and when the weather permits, citizens flock to relax in the park area. The park is centred around an extensive lawn but has several interesting sections of different designs, including a grove of Japanese cherry trees and a flower and sculpture garden. It also contains the largest World War I memorial in the country, commemorating 4,000 dead Danish soldiers.
Marselisborg Slot
This small summer residence of the Queen of Denmark is just west of Mindeparken. The surrounding garden-park is fenced, but open to the public when the Queen is not in residence. It is dotted with sculptures from the private art collection of Prince Consort Henrik, the Queen's late husband.
Forstbotanisk Have
Established in 1923, this arboretum at the north end of the forests is small (5 ha) but packed with over 900 species of trees and bushes from all over the world. It's a pleasant place to take a load off, but it's prohibited to disturb any of the plants, and falling tree branches are a persistent danger in windy weather.
Marselisborgskovene
A relatively large expanse of woodland stretching along the coast of the Aarhus Bay south of town. Marselisborg is one of the most frequented forests in Denmark and is criss-crossed by trails. A car road pass through with a separate bicycle road all along. Aside from Ballehage Beach, Tivoli Friheden amusement park, and Varna Palace described elsewhere in this article, other noteworthy amenities that can all be reached by road include: