The Old Town in Aarhus

The Old Town in Aarhus – a journey back in time

In the middle of Aarhus lies one of Denmark's most beloved attractions, The Old Town. The museum is a living open-air museum where history is not only told but experienced firsthand. Here you can walk through cobblestone streets, look into half-timbered houses, and feel how everyday life was for Danes in the old days. The Old Town is much more than a museum – it is a time travel where you can experience life as it unfolded from the 17th century up to more recent times.

A living museum

The Old Town was founded in 1909 and was the world's first open-air museum for the culture of market towns. Since then, the museum has grown into an impressive area with more than 75 historic buildings, all of which have been moved to Aarhus from towns around Denmark. Here are both merchant houses, pharmacies, workshops, schools, and private homes, which together provide a unique insight into how Danes lived and worked over the centuries.

What is special about The Old Town is that it is not just a collection of houses. Here are streets filled with life, shops where you can buy goods just like in the old days, and workshops where you can see craftsmanship being performed, just as it was hundreds of years ago. Actors and volunteers in historical costumes make the experience even more authentic, and you quickly get the feeling of stepping into another time.

Time travel through centuries

One of the strengths of The Old Town is that it displays different time periods. You can start your journey in the half-timbered houses of the 1600s, continue through the bourgeois houses of the 1700s and 1800s, and move all the way to the 1900s' market town idyll. The neighborhood from 1974 is particularly popular, where many visitors experience a nostalgic recognition from childhood or youth. Here you will find, among other things, a classic suburban neighborhood, an old-fashioned radio and TV store, a bakery, and a collective, which was an important part of the culture of the time.

The Old Town continuously expands its areas so that there is always something new to experience. In this way, the museum continues to be relevant – it not only tells about the past but also about more recent history that many visitors can remember themselves.

Activities for the whole family

The Old Town is an ideal excursion destination for families. Here the children can play on the old streets, try historical games, or taste candies from an old-fashioned grocer. During the holidays, there are often special activities such as baking, crafts, or storytelling that make the visit even more exciting.

There is plenty of opportunity for adults to immerse themselves in the story. The different homes and shops are furnished down to the smallest detail so that one can see how people lived, ate, and decorated themselves. You can, for example, step into a citizen's home from 1864, an apartment from 1927, or a collective from the 1970s – each time with furniture, kitchenware, and everyday objects from the period.

Christmas in The Old Town

One of the absolute highlights of the year is Christmas in The Old Town. As December approaches, the museum is transformed into a festive Christmas village where you can experience Christmas traditions from hundreds of years ago. From simple Christmas celebrations in the 1600s to decorated Christmas trees in the 1800s and modern Christmas lights in the 1900s – everything is recreated with great care. Many families make it a tradition to visit The Old Town in Christmas because the atmosphere is so unique and cozy.

Research and dissemination

The Old Town is not just a tourist attraction, but also a museum with a strong professional foundation. Behind the scenes, historians, researchers, and conservators work to collect, preserve, and communicate knowledge about Danish cultural history. The museum collaborates with both schools and universities, and many students visit The Old Town every year as part of their education. It makes the place an important part of conveying our shared cultural heritage.

Location in the heart of Aarhus

The Old Town is located centrally in Aarhus, surrounded by the beautiful Botanical Garden. The combination of the city's pulse and the museum's historical atmosphere makes the visit something special. You can easily combine a trip to The Old Town with shopping in Aarhus' pedestrian streets, a visit to Aros, or simply a pleasant walk in the parks around the museum.

The experience with all senses

Something special about The Old Town is that the experience goes beyond the visual. You can hear the sound of horse-drawn carriages on the cobblestones, smell freshly baked bread from the bakery, or feel the atmosphere of a schoolroom from the 1920s. It makes the visit a holistic experience, where both children and adults are involved in a way that makes the story lively and present.

Tips for the visit

To get the most out of your visit to The Old Town, it's a good idea to set aside a whole day. The museum is large, and there are many details to discover. Please come early in the day so you can experience the different time periods at your leisure. If you visit the museum on weekends or holidays, you can look forward to special events that make the experience extra exciting.

It is also a good idea to combine the trip with a walk in the Botanical Garden, which is right next to The Old Town. Here you can enjoy nature and relax after a day full of impressions.