The Old Town Open-Air Museum

Den Gamle By

Experience the past at Den Gamle By in Aarhus, with over 75 historic buildings from 1597-1900s.

Embark on a journey through time at Den Gamle By in Aarhus, an open-air museum that makes the history of Denmark come alive. This is not just a collection of static exhibits; it's an engaging encounter with the past. Walk through an urban environment with roots in the 16th century, where furnished homes and workshops vividly show how people in Denmark used to live in urban settings.

Den Gamle By, "The Old Town," is a way to see the past, allowing visitors to experience Danish urban life in different eras. Move along stone-paved streets and explore over 75 historical buildings, originally built between 1597 and the 1900s, and now reassembled on site. Each building has a history, a function, and a timeline, from a merchant's home to the house of the working class.

As you wander through the museum, costumed guides enhance the visit, showing traditional crafts and sharing knowledge about everyday life of past times. You can watch bakers, blacksmiths, and other workers performing their skills as they would have done centuries ago.

Children can have fun in historical ways at the Toy Museum or enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. With different activities throughout the year, such as Christmas markets and Easter celebrations, Den Gamle By presents a schedule of cultural events that reflect the customs of historical Denmark.

Besides the recreations of the past, the museum presents exhibitions on Danish culture and history, including a collection of Danish clocks and watches. Visitors should note that while the museum is mainly outdoors, some indoor exhibits may need to be booked in advance.

Accessibility is a priority here; visitors with limited mobility can use maps that show easy-to-navigate routes through the museum, and wheelchairs are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Den Gamle By is more than a museum; it's a chance to experience history. Whether you're looking into a 1927 dentist's office or trying traditional baked goods at the museum's bakery, your visit promises to be educational and memorable.