Den Gamle By Open Air Museum

Den Gamle By - "The Old Town" - was founded in 1909 as the world's first open-air museum of urban history and culture.
75 historical houses from all over Denmark shape the contours of a Danish town as it might have looked in Hans Christian Andersen's days, with streets, shops, yards, homes and workshops.
At the moment two new neighbourhoods are being built - from the 1920s and 1970s. Furthermore Den Gamle By consists of several museums and exhibitions.
You can visit living rooms, chambers, kitchens, workshops and museums all year round, and you can meet the people and characters of yesteryear throughout the museum from Easter to 30th December.
Den Gamle By is like af nest of boxes: Open it, and one intriguing layer after another is revealed as you move in deeper.
Den Gamle By is under the patronage of the Danish Queen and it is one of Denmark’s few 3 star attractions in Guide Michelin and the only one outside the capital area.

Life in the 1800s

Experience Living History from Easter to 30th December. Talk to the kitchen maid or help the yard’s hand bring firewood into the kitchen. Visit our historical shops and taste the cakes baked with recipes from 1885. The many characters of yesteryear's market towns will tell you about their life whether rich or poor, old or young.

Discover the 1920s

Den Gamle By is recreating a townscape as it might have looked in 1927 with bikes, a gas pump and sidewalks. The area includes a typical 1927-town museum and a working telephone central. From Easter, the Ironmonger’s and bookshop will tempt you with the latest in 1927 lamps and literature.

Remember the 1970s

Den Gamle By is recreating a town district from 1974. The first section is already open. Visit Poul’s Radio and TV store with the latest in TVs and tape recorders from 1974. Be inspired by the needlework shop's embroidery or be tempted by typical 1974 vacations in the window of the travel agency.

The streets

Den Gamle By is a living and breathing experience of a market town at the time of Hans Christian Andersen.
The geese roam freely on the streets, and the chickens cluck in the pen. From Easter to Christmas, visitors may enjoy jaunts by pony-and-trap. During the main seasons, the Fairground offers amusements for children.

Gallery of Decorative Arts

Den Gamle By has an outstanding collection of silverware, delftware, porcelain and clocks of all ages.

Toys

Den Gamle By has dedicated an entire building just to toys and the history of children’s play. The oldest toys date back from the 1800s while the newest are from the 1960s. Rediscover old favorites or find new treasures between teddy bears, mechanical toys, German Märklin cars, or huge doll houses.

Highlights

If you only have a few hours make sure to visit:
The Mintmaster's Mansion, a stately home from the 1700s.
The Mayor's House: domestic culture from 1600 to 1850.
The Merchant's House and shop from 1864.
The Toy Museum - the largest in Denmark.
Poul's Radio and TV shop from 1974.

Christmas in Den Gamle By

Find the authentic Christmas in Den Gamle By from November 19 until december 30 2011.
Experience how Danes have celebrated the holidays for centuries. Exciting activities await the entire family with historical shops, Living History, traditional Danish treats, Christmas market and entertainment in the weekends.
Christmas in Den Gamle By

Food and Drinks

Try traditional Danish recipes in our lovely tea garden or during main seasons in the stylish café.
Madkassen - The Lunch Box - is an indoor picnic area where you may enjoy your own food and drinks.

Main sponsors:

Den Gamle By • Viborgvej 2 • 8000 Aarhus C • Denmark • +45 86 12 31 88 • mail@dengamleby.dk