Den Gamle By - The Old Town Museum

Photo: Den Gamle By

Den Gamle By - Old Town Museum in Aarhus

Photo: Den Gamle By

gaagaden-i-70-er-kvarteret-i-den-gamle-by

Photo: Den Gamle By

Den Gamle By

2014 – Our Time at the Museum

Our time has found its place in the museum. Queen Margrethe's Street, capturing a moment from the year 2014, is a bustling street with facade shops. Here, you'll discover a tanning salon, 7-Eleven, a bank, a pizzeria, and the legendary pub, Bent J, where the scent of smoke and spilled beer still lingers.

The 2014 street also features two apartments. Step inside the home of single woman Rikke and visit the rainbow family. Through interviews in the homes, meet the residents who share their lives, including stories about children, work, and everyday routines.

Denmark in the 70s

Travel back in time to the 1970s in a neighborhood with streets, apartments, shops, courtyards, and workshops from that era. In the 70s quarter, explore establishments like Pouls Radio, the radio and TV store, the convenience store, the butcher, the paint and wallpaper shop, the kindergarten, and the hairdresser. In the apartments, peek into the lives of a nuclear family, a collective, a hippie couple, and a single mother.

In the backyard, you'll find a Volkswagen and the plumber's Citroën – explore the moped workshop, scout meeting place, or backyard toilets adorned with the poetry of the time.
1950-1974: Welfare and Liberalism

Popular Cars and New Times in the 1920s

Move on to 1927, where the city has become modern with cars, sidewalks, streetlights, telephone wires, and gable advertisements. The quarter in The Old Town has a hardware store, a bookstore, Schou's soap house, a post office, a telephone exchange, and several residences from before the 1930s crisis halted Denmark. Experience the authentic car dealership 'Automobilforretning Carl Christensen' with its own workshop.

Encounter beautiful vintage cars, exhibition spaces, a shop with spare parts, and workshops for engine renovation and bicycle repairs. Get up close to the infancy of motoring and learn about the various fascinating vehicles of the time.

Once Upon a Time Before 1900

Here, you'll meet The Old Town in H.C. Andersen's time and even further back with half-timbered structures and buildings from all over Denmark. The oldest part of The Old Town resembles a small Danish market town with houses, gardens, residences, shops, and workshops. These buildings originate from cities throughout Denmark and have been reconstructed in The Old Town.

Go to the history journey from 2014 back to 1600 here

A Living Museum

From April onwards, you can encounter people dressed and working as in the old days throughout the year. They cook, chop wood, do handicrafts, or serve customers in the store. Stop and chat with the baker's assistant, farmhand, and street organ man, but be careful – you might be tasked with fetching water from the well or carrying waste to the dung heap.

Take a ride in the horse-drawn carriages or make a good deal in the historical shops. At Restaurant Gæstgivergården, enjoy a wide selection of warm and cold lunch dishes as well as open-faced sandwiches, all inspired by historical cookbooks. 

Special Exhibitions and Smaller Museums

Throughout the year, there are theme days, concerts, activities for children, and several special exhibitions at The Old Town. You'll also find several smaller museums.
Discover the major highlights here

See what others are sharing on Instagram

#dengamleby #dengamlebyiaarhus #visitaarhusregion

FREE ADMISSION FOR EVERYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18

Hotels nearby of Den Gamle By - The Old Town Museum

  • Hotel Oasia Aarhus

    1.22 km

    City Hotel Oasia is the only designer hotel in Aarhus. The decor emphasises elegant and discreet luxury, clean lines and Nordic design. Designer furniture and hard-wooden flooring highlight the style. This wonderful oasis is situated close to Aarhus Central Station, ARoS and The Old Town. Only breakfast restaurant.
    Read more : Hotel Oasia Aarhus
  • Montra Hotel Sabro Kro

    12.32 km

    This beautiful hotel is located in the heart of Sabro close to the city of smiles, Aarhus. With the E45 close by, there is easy and fast transport to a wealth of options. Here you will find room for attention, presence and wonderful experiences. There is always a good reason to visit Montra Hotel Sabro Kro.

    Read more : Montra Hotel Sabro Kro
  • Kaløvig Badehotel

    13.39 km

    Kaløvig Badehotel is a small, cozy hotel located just 14 kilometers from the center of Aarhus, right on the shores of Aarhus Bay in Aarhus North. The intimate ambiance, the homely feel, and the soothing sound of the waves from Aarhus Bay together create a truly unique atmosphere that is hard to find elsewhere.

    Read more : Kaløvig Badehotel
  • Nørre Vissing Kro

    21.4 km

    The royally licensed inn Nørre Vissing Kro, dating back to 1801, is situated close to hills, woods and lakes. The inn is famous for its creative and uncom-promising cuisine with a restaurant, filled with an incredible atmosphere, and an excellent wine cellar. 25 min. to both Aarhus and Silkeborg.
    Read more : Nørre Vissing Kro
  • Hotel Skanderborghus

    21.94 km

    Skanderborghus, which is situated in the deer park Dyrehaven at the shore of the lake, is indeed a gem near lake and wood. The hotel is situated close to the cosy centre of Skanderborg with fine shopping possibilities, and in the surroundings there are fine possibilities of sailing, golfing and playing tennis.
    Read more : Hotel Skanderborghus
  • Låsby Kro

    23.39 km

    You will find Låsby Inn in the middle of Jutland in the beautiful and hilly nature between Silkeborg and Aarhus. There is a cozy atmosphere and the inn is furnished with all that classifies a typical inn. It's like being in another time wrap.

    Read more : Låsby Kro
  • Hotel Randers

    34.79 km

    Hotel Randers is one of Denmark’s oldest hotels. For more than 160 years the hotel has been an oasis with room for pleasure, peace and absorption.  The hotel was built in 1856, however in the autumn of 2016 it was reopened after being completely refurbished. You can sense the presence of history at the beautiful hotel.

    Read more : Hotel Randers
  • Kongensbro Kro

    35.71 km

    Kongensbro Kro is located between Aarhus and Viborg. In the old times it was known as a bargeman’s inn, but today it is a modern inn with up-to-date rooms with a view of the inn’s garden and the Gudenå. The inn’s patent of nobility is good food, from homemade rissoles to the French cuisine.

    Read more : Kongensbro Kro
  • Jørgensens Hotel

    39.31 km

    When you visit Jørgensens Hotel, look forward to an experience of historical awareness, quality in every detail and personal hospitality in the center of Horsens.
    Read more : Jørgensens Hotel
  • Hotel Dania Silkeborg

    39.65 km

    Hotel Dania commands a central location in Silkeborg, surrounded by shops, sights and attractions and close to the woods and lakes. Dating from 1848, the hotel has been carefully refurbished to preserve its special charm and atmosphere. The hotel restaurant Brasserie Underhuset serves a cuisine in a class of its own.

    Read more : Hotel Dania Silkeborg