Riis Skov

The Forest of Riis (Riis Skov)
Risskov
Forest
Typical scenery in the beech forest of Riis Skov.
Official name: Riis Skov

Country	Denmark
Region	Central Denmark Region
District	Risskov
Municipality	Aarhus

Part of	Scandinavia
City	Aarhus
Building	Inn, Hostel, Assembly pavilion, Sea-baths, Forest ranger Residence

Area	0.8 km² (0 sq mi)

Wikimedia Commons: Riis Skov

Riis Skov (Riis' Forest or The Forest of Riis) is a forest and park in Århus, Denmark. It is located south of the district of Risskov, along the Bay of Aarhus.

History

The restaurant Sjette Frederiks Kro (1825). Riis Skov has a long history of recreational activities.

This small patch of forest, was formally presented to Aarhus in 1395, by Queen Margaret I.^[1] Riis Skov was the first public forest in Denmark, where forests traditionally were owned and managed by the Royal family or the nobility and in some cases ordinary farmers. Timber and firewood was very important resources in former times, needed for shipbuilding, house constructions and various other important structures or simply for heating and cooking. Although Riis Skov was a public forest, there were still an active forestry going on until around the year 1800, when the large oaks was cut and used for quay-building in the Aarhus harbour. A few of them are still left, as some of the oldest trees in the forest. The forestry aspect gradually diminished and Riis Skov were increasingly viewed and used as a recreational area by the citizens.

On the evening of October 2, 1951 at 18:15, a meteorite exploded above Aarhus and one of two pieces was recovered in Riis Skov, just a few minutes after impact. A memorial stone commemorates the event.

Recreation

Riis Skov has a long cultural history as a recreational area for Aarhus and its citizens and several buildings in the forest still stands as witnesses; the public sea-bath Den Permanente from 1933, the inn of Sjette Frederiks Kro (named after King Frederik VI) from 1825,^[2] Aarhus Citizens Shooting Associations headquarters from 1881 and the old Dancing Pavillon from 1869, now a hostel.^[3] The forest is a protected area and the commercial forestry activities are limited nowadays.

Nature

The forest is largely dominated by beech, but with oak, larch, maple, ash and birch mixed in at some places. Although beech is dominant, Riis Skov is not a natural beech forest and new trees are planted occasionally to replenish the old growth.

As a curiosity Riis Skov is covered by ramsons in the spring. It is said, that this culinary plant was brought here by camping Spanish soldiers during the Napoleonic wars. While Spanish soldiers indeed camped in Aarhus, ramson have been growing in Denmark since the last glacial period and it might have been here in Riis Skov since the 13th century, before the Spaniards came along.

In spring, the forest floor is completely covered by ramson.
A few rare spots are dominated by wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa) instead of ramsons.
Footpaths crisscross the forest.
Fallen trees are often left to decay in order to increase and sustain the biodiversity.
Leaffall brings out the colours. The forest is dotted with concrete air-raid shelters from WW II.

References

↑ "VisitAarhus". Retrieved 2 March 2010.
↑ Sjette Frederiks Kro official homepage (Danish)
↑ Danhostel Aarhus

Sources

Helge Daus (2010): "Riis Skov - Europas mest besøgte skov" Forfatterforlaget ATTIKA, ISBN 9788775287666 (Danish)
Excursions in Riis Skov (pdf) Aarhus Municipality (Naturemanagement) (2004) (Danish)

External links

Excursions in Riis Skov (pdf) Aarhus Municipality (Naturemanagement) (2004) (Danish)

City of Aarhus

Neighbourhoods	Aaby Aabyhøj Bispehaven Brabrand CeresByen Christiansbjerg Docklands Egå Frederiksbjerg Gellerup Hasle Hasselager Højbjerg Holme Indre by Kolt Langenæs Latinerkvarteret Marselisborg Nørre Stenbro Risskov Rosenhøj Skåde Skæring Skejby Skødstrup Slet Stavtrup Tilst Tranbjerg Trøjborg Vejlby Vesterbro Viby

Parks and open spaces	Botanical Gardens City Hall Park Forestry Botanical Garden Den Permanente Hasle Hills Marselisborg Deer Park Mindeparken Mølleparken Nordre Cemetery Riis Forest Skanseparken St. Olufs Cemetery Tangkrogen Vennelystparken Vestre Cemetery University Park Åkrogen Åparken

Geography	Bay of Aarhus Marselisborg Forests Riis Forest Brabrand Lake Egå Engsø Aarhus River Vestereng Kalø Vig

Culture and attractions	Aarhus Festuge Musikhuset Aarhus Symphony Orchestra Aarhus International Jazz Festival Aarhus Theatre ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum Kunsthal Aarhus The Old Town Moesgård Museum Natural History Museum Women's Museum Viking Museum Tivoli Friheden Latinerkvarteret Godsbanen Moesgård Viking Moot Occupation Museum Museum of Ancient Art Museum Ovartaci Danish Poster Museum

Education and science	Aarhus University Aarhus School of Architecture Aarhus School of Marine and Technical Engineering Business Academy Aarhus School of Media and Journalism Deaconal Folk High School Jutland Art Academy' KaosPilot Ole Rømer Observatory Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg State and University Library VIA University College

Other landmarks	Aarhus City Hall Aarhus Custom House Aarhus University Hospital Marselisborg Palace Old City Hall

Churches	Aarhus Cathedral Aarhus Methodist Church Åby Church Åbyhøj Church Brabrand Church Christian's Church Church of Our Lady Egå Church Ellevang Church Fredens Church Frederik's Church Hasle Church Holme Church Langenæs Church Lyseng Church Møllevang Church Ravnsbjerg Church Risskov Church St. John's Church St. Luke's Church St. Mark's Church St. Nicholas' Church St. Paul's Church Skejby Church Vejlby Church Viby Church

Sports	Vejlby-Risskov Idrætscenter Atletion AGF Aarhus 1900 Aarhus Fremad IK Skovbakken Bakken Bears Brabrand IF Aarhus Sejlklub

Transport	Aarhus Airport Aarhus Central Station Aarhus Letbane Aarhus Commuter Rail R45 Port of Aarhus Mols-Linien Århus Sporveje Ring 1 Ring 2 Aarhus City Bikes Rejsekort Aarhus-Randers Line Grenaa Line Danish National Cycle Route 4 Danish National Cycle Route 5

History	Timeline Ancient See of Aarhus Niels of Aarhus Our Lady's Priory 1944 explosion in Aarhus Aarhus Air Raid Rytterfægtningen Samsing Group 5 Kolonne Danish National Exhibition of 1909

Category

Coordinates: 56°10′40″N 10°13′30″E / 56.17778°N 10.22500°E / 56.17778; 10.22500

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