Do you know the scent of the good old days?
At the Industrial Museum, you can breathe it in and experience it up close. This fascinating museum tells the compelling story of how Denmark’s industrial and welfare society developed – and how people lived through it all. And it is a museum for everyone, because it tells the story of life itself.
The moment you walk through the door, you feel it. You have just stepped into another era, and here you get a clear picture of what life looked like for your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. Or perhaps it is your own past that has found its way into the museum?
The roar of machines and the rhythm of home life
As the name suggests, the Industrial Museum focuses on industrialisation during the 19th and 20th centuries – both in the workplace and at home. Here, there is plenty of room to explore, and if you follow the marked trail through the different buildings, you are sure to experience it all.
Pass by the assembly line, where you can compete to see who is quickest at putting together ball bearings. Wander through old workers’ homes, decorated to match various decades. Peek into the nostalgic shopfronts on the museum’s street. Watch the impressive machines in the machine hall – and if you are lucky, an engine operator might fire one up so you can hear it roar and puff.
And how about a visit to the old schoolroom, the textile factory, or the printing press? The Industrial Museum offers plenty of opportunities to learn about traditional crafts, all brought to life through engaging storytelling.
Among the most popular attractions are the workers’ homes, each furnished in the classic style of a different decade. Personal stories bring the exhibitions to life, and link the homes to the rest of the museum experience. If you remember the 1970s, you might just become the group’s resident expert – which makes for great conversations with the people you are visiting with.
Let the kids experience the buzz of history on the playground
The Industrial Museum features a fantastic new playground, created with custom-made equipment inspired by Horsens’ history as an industrial city. The main play tower is shaped like a gas tank, just like the one that once stood on the museum grounds when it was a gasworks. It is large enough to explore, and from the top – seven metres up – you can whizz down a long, fun slide. Another play tower is shaped like a steam engine, while a seesaw is designed to look like a Nimbus motorbike. You will also find swings, an obstacle course, and much more.
The Museum Pass – visit 4 museums in 7 days
Explore four exciting museums in Horsens with one ticket. The Museum Pass gives you access to Fængslet, the Industrial Museum, Horsens Art Museum, and Horsens Museum for seven days. With the Museum Pass, you can look forward to a host of fascinating experiences and stories – and save money while you are at it. You even get two cups of coffee or tea included.
Now only DKK 200 (normal price DKK 330)
Remember to check the individual museums’ websites for opening hours before your visit. Outside the high season, some museums are closed on Mondays.
You can buy the Museum Pass at the entrance to the first museum you visit.
Last updated on September 2, 2025 by Casper Terkelsen
