Brande: Discover Art, Culture and Trails

Brande combines public art, historic buildings and varied trails with a local history that can be discovered at many specific sites. The Gavlmalerierne i Brande, RemisenBrande, two distinctive churches and trails through the landscape give your stay different points of focus. This is particularly appealing if you would like to combine culture, activity and peaceful discoveries during your trip.

Open-air art and culture in historic spaces

One of Brande’s characteristic features is the Gavlmalerierne i Brande. They were designed as an open-air gallery without fixed opening hours. In the summer of 1968, 23 colourful, large-scale artworks were created there after several months of work. Among other things, these Gavlmalerierne contributed to Brande being named Årets By in 1969. Public art has been a characteristic feature of the town ever since.

RemisenBrande also represents the connection between history and culture. The historic locomotive workshop was inaugurated in 2006 after the old engine shed had been completely renovated. Today, it provides a setting for conferences and cultural events all year round. In this way, it complements the art in the townscape with a place where Brande’s industrial past is connected with contemporary cultural formats.

Churches with their own architectural character

The Brande Kirke is also part of the cultural landscape. It is an originally Romanesque church with later additions and is located in the centre of Brande. The Brande Baptistkirke makes a distinctly different impression: its architecture is unusual and unconventional and incorporates numerous symbols. Discarded materials such as fieldstones, glass and rough timber were used for the entrance area. Those interested in architectural history, religious symbolism or different architectural languages will therefore find several distinct themes in Brande.

Branderuten and Hjertestien: two ways to stay active

Brande offers various trail options for active days. The Branderuten is approximately 18 km long, can also be used on foot and is marked in the terrain with pictograms on posts. The markings provide clear guidance along the route; you should take the approximate length into account when planning your day.

The Hjertestien in Brande, by contrast, is an approximately 7 km-long trail created by the Hjerteforeningen. On the Hjertestien, you can both walk and cycle. Comparing the two lengths helps with planning: the Branderuten offers a longer trail option, while the Hjertestien is a shorter route with a choice between walking and cycling. Which option suits you better therefore depends mainly on your preferred pace for the day.

River landscape and older traces along the Brande Å

The Brande Å winds through Brande and flows into the Skjern Å on the northern edge of the town. The oldest watermills on the Brande Å are also located along this river: Stampen and Langkær Mølle ground grain for the region’s farmers. Together with the trails, they provide another way of exploring the town’s history, one that is not limited to a single building or work of art.

The right accommodation for your trip planning

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Brande, you can plan around your preferred pace for the day. If your travel group combines cultural and active interests, plan days with different focuses and choose your accommodation according to the mix of local history and activity you want.

You can then go directly to other local pages: Engesvang, Hampen, Nørre Snede, Ejstrupholm and Smedebæk.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ikast-Brande Kommune.