Høje-Taastrup

Høje-Taastrup is a municipality (Danish, kommune) in Copenhagen County on the island of Zealand (Sjælland) in eastern Denmark. The municipality covers an area of 78 km², and has a total population of 45,948. Its mayor is Anders Bak, a member of the Social Democrats (Socialdemokraterne) political party.

The three railway station towns

The towns of Høje Taastrup, Taastrup, and Hedehusene are railway station town in the Hovedstadens Udviklingsråd (HUR) (lit, "Danish Capital Region Development Authority"). The station at Høje Taastrup is one of the largest in Denmark and offers excellent local (Copenhagen-area), regional (including Roskilde, Holbæk and Kalundborg), and national and even international train connections (for example, to Hamburg, Germany).

Related Topics:
Hovedstadens Udviklingsråd (HUR) - Danish Capital Region - Copenhagen - Roskilde - Holbæk - Kalundborg - Hamburg

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Høje Taastrup

The town of Høje Taastrup is a new development, centered on the train station. Behind the town hall lies the old country village of Høje Taastrup, with its typical country church, picturesque thatch-roofed buildings, and a village pond complete with duck houses. It is a reminder of the area's agricultural past. The farmland that used to lie in the vicinity of the old village has been pretty much developed as of 2005.

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Located at the south end of the railroad station complex is another area landmark? the 26.3 meter tall sculpture "Thor's Tower" (Torstårnet), the tallest sculpture in the Nordic countries. It was made by Bjørn Nørgaard, and was inaugurated on December 4, 1986. There are several unique buildings in the same area, including the train station itself with its distinctive three arches. The three arches have become a symbol of the municipality, and have given rise to the moniker "The City of Arches" (Danish: Buernes By, which in a play on words sounds remarkably similar to the phrase Byernes By or "The City of Cities").

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The town is home to City 2 shopping center, one of Denmark's largest shopping centers.

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Taastrup

The neighboring town of Taastrup lies to the east of Høje Taastrup, and has the municipality's prime shopping street on Køge Street (Køgevej). The street was extensively renovated in the past few years, and provides a traditional, Danish outdoors shopping environment.

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Hedehusene

Hedehusene lies to the west of Høje Taastrup, on the stretch of railway connecting Copenhagen-Høje Taastrup-Roskilde. The town got its name with the building of the King's Road leading to Roskilde. King Christian IV wanted a house built for an official who would keep watch over entry gates on the road. This became the first house (Danish: hus) on the heath (Danish: hede) or Danish prarie. Thus the town became Hedehusene (lit. "The houses on the heath")

Related Topics:
Danish - Heath

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Today the town has grown physically into neighboring Kallerup, Fløng, and Baldersbrønde. The most important commercial area is Roskilde Street (Roskildevej). Rockwool International, immediately west of the town, is the largest employer.

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Hedeland, closeby, is a unique nature area created at the site of a former gravel excavation area. It also features a 4,000 seat amphitheatre.

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One of Denmark's oldest rune stones, The Kallerup Stone (Kallerupstenen) from ca. 800-825 is erected at Ansgarkirken.

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