They range in age from primary school pupils on a class visit to the children’s lending library on the lower ground floor, with cosy reading boxes to curl up in and multilingual digital storytelling machines, to pensioners coming for an internet lesson.

Since it opened in March 2017, replacing an array of semi-derelict, mostly industrial buildings, De Krook, designed by a team of Catalan and Belgian architects, has been hailed as a “connection point”, a “landmark” and a “cultural catalyst” by critics.

A similarly award-winning, futuristic and transparent building, Dokk1 – on the port waterfront – is part of a larger complex including a multimedia centre and the city’s citizens’ services department, plus northern Europe’s largest automated car park.

Hailed as “an encounter between two fine Danish traditions: the cultural ambition to open up all branches of knowledge to every generation and social class, and a sense of functional and beautiful design,” Dokk1 is also home to some startling art.

Hanging above the central staircase is a huge bronze tubular bell that weighs 3 tonnes and is connected to the maternity ward of Aarhus university hospital, where parents can push a button to ring it when their newborn is delivered.

A spectacular building built clad in 160km of Finnish spruce and featuring living trees on its top floor, Oodi – also home to music and video production studios, a cinema, workshops and a “nerd loft” – aims to welcome everyone.

Saved 80% of original text.