Viborg, is a town located in central Jutland, Denmark. It is the seat of both Viborg municipality and Viborg County (the County was abolished 31 December 2006). On 1 January 2007, Viborg became the seat of Region Midtjylland, one of the five new Regions that in some ways will replace the traditional counties. Viborg is also the seat of the Western High Court; the High Court for the Jutland peninsula. Viborg is one of the oldest towns in Denmark; with viking-settlements dating back to the 8.th century. Due to its central location, the town had great strategic importance, in political and religious matters, during the Middle Ages. A motte-and-bailey type castle were once located in the town. Viborg takes its name from a combination of two words: Wii, meaning a holy place and berg, meaning a hill. Viborg is famous for its cathedral. The construction of the cathedral started in 1130 and lasted about 50 years. The building has burned to the ground and been re-built several times. Only the crypt of the original cathedral is still preserved. The newest parts of the church are from 1876. The cathedral is famed for its many paintings by Danish painter Joakim Skovgaard depicting stories from the bible. Neighbour to the cathedral is the Joakim Skovgaard Museum.
