Early age
Aalborg traces its history back over 1000 years. It was originally settled as a trading post because of its position on the Limfjord. The sites of what were two settlements and a visible burial ground can be seen on Lindholm Høje, a hill overlooking the city. The sizes of these settlements emphasise the significance of this place as a crossroads. The first mention of Aalborg under its original name Alabu, is found on a coin dated to 1040. An alternative spelling is Alebu and an approximate translation of the name is The (dwelling) place by the stream.
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, Aalborg prospered and became one of the largest cities in Denmark. This prosperity was further enhanced when in 1516 Aalborg was granted a monopoly in salt herring. The herring fishery linked Aalborg to the East coast of England, across the North Sea, both in commercial competition and cultural exchange. The panelled interior from an Aalborg house in the National Museum, Copenhagen (illustration), shares many details with Jacobean panelled rooms.
Aalborg received town privileges in 1342 and the bishopric dates from 1554.
World War II
During the German invasion of Denmark in 1940, the Aalborg Aerodrome was captured by German paratroopers very early in the action and Aalborg is said to be the first city ever to be captured by paratroopers. The aerodrome was crucial for German aircraft to be able to reach Norway.
On August 13, 1940 a dozen Bristol Blenheim bombers of No. 82 Squadron RAF were launched against a Luftwaffe airfield near Aalborg during one of the most disastrous Royal Air Force raids of the war. One aircraft turned back because of fuel problems but the remaining eleven air crafts pressed on; all eleven Blenheims were shot down by enemy fighters and/or flak batteries within 20 minutes
