Hammel

Sister cities

• Nykarleby

History

Hammel first saw significant settlement in the 13th century. The town was recorded as "Hamel" in 1479 and "Hammell" in 1596. The etymology of the town's name is believed to derive from the old Danish term "hamal", meaning "hill". Hammel was not significantly larger than the other settlements in the area until the 1860s. In the first half of the 19th century, the village had about 11 farms and 40 houses which belonged to the count of Frijsenborg. Through his influence, the local court building for the judicial district of Frijsenborg-Favrskov was established in the town in 1837. By 1900, a prison, pharmacy, hotel, post office, technical school, primary school, hospital school and industrial factories had opened in the town. The entire railway line closed in 1956 and parts have since been preserved as a walking path. Wenck's original station building still stands at Torvegade 9. For much of its history, Hammel was a parish within the jurisdiction of Gjern Herred. Following the 1970 Danish Municipal Reform the town beceame the seat of Hammel Municipality. The municipality was dissolved in the municipal reform of 2007, and today Hammel lies with Favrskov Municipality.