city, southeastern Jutland, Denmark, at the head of Åbenrå Fjord. First mentioned in the 12th century when attacked by the Wends, it was granted a charter (1335) and grew from a fishing village into a thriving port in the 17th and 18th centuries. Medieval landmarks include the St. Nicholas Church (a 13th-century church; restored 1949–56) and Brøndlund Slot (a fortress, begun 1411, rebuilt 1807). The city was German from 1864 until a plebiscite in 1920 and was known as Apenrade. Åbenrå is a marketing centre with a busy port; a ferry links it with Klaipėda (Lith.). Local industries include machinery production and food processing. Marcussen & Søn (founded 1806), one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of pipe organs, is headquartered in the city. Pop. (2008 est.) city, 15,966; (2005 est.) mun., 60,151.
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