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Discover Denmark’s living heritage

Denmark has a unique tradition for living heritage centres where the crafts, arts and traditions of old are brought back to life. Cities such as Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense have some of the world’s first and largest open-air heritage museums and there are heritage festivals and markets nationwide. Here is a selection of major attractions where you can experience Denmark’s living heritage.

For a full list of Viking events, click here
For a full list of open-air museums, click here 
 

The Old Town at winter timeThe Old Town, Aarhus
The world’s oldest open-air heritage museum, The Old Town in Aarhus (Den Gamle By) features authentic merchant yards and townhouses assembled from across the nation brick by brick. As a unique development, a new section is now being added, called The New Town, where 20th century living will be recreated.

The Open-Air Museum, Copenhagen
One of the world’s largest, The Open-Air Museum in Lyngby north of Copenhagen features more than 100 farms and rural dwellings from across the kingdom, from the Faroe Islands to the Baltic island of Bornholm. And there are 25 historic gardens with plants and herbs.

The Funen Village
The age of Hans Christian Andersen is also brought to life at the open-air rural heritage museum The Funen Village near Odense. Here the crafts and traditions of old are demonstrated by costumed interpretive staff in the authentic settings of farmhouses, workshops, a watermill and a windmill. 
The Medieval Centre at Nykøbing FalsterThe European Medieval Festival
Denmark’s largest of its kind, the annual European Medieval Festival in Horsens features combat performances, markets, processions, fire shows and knight’s jousting. Among the many activities for children are archery lessons and pony rides.

Medieval Centre Bornholm
The Medieval Centre on the Baltic island of Bornholm features several recreated medieval dwellings. Markets and events are held throughout the summer season where artisans demonstrate age-old crafts. And a Fire Night Festival is held at the 12th century Hammershus Castle ruin.

Spøttrup Castle
Denmark’s best preserved medieval castle Spøttrup in northern Jutland features activities throughout the holidays seasons, including archery and combat shows and the annual Bishop’s Market, which in on 23-28 July 2012 will highlight the European Knight’s Tournament Championship.

The Medieval Centre, Nykøbing Falster
Medieval catapults and war machinery are demonstrated at the Medieval Centre close to Nykøbing Falster on Zealand. The centre also features a recreated medieval village complete with merchant vessels. And costumed interpretive staff members bring the Dark Ages to light. Festivals, markets and events are held throughout the holiday seasons.
The Ribe Viking CenterLand of Legends
The Stone Age, Viking Age and Iron and Bronze Ages are brought back to life at the Land of Legends close to the town of Lejre (near Roskilde). Families can volunteer to live like prehistoric times. And markets and events throughout the year recreate the arts and crafts of yore.

Viking ring fortresses
Denmark is home to several Viking Age ring fortresses: Aggersborg and Fyrkat (both in Northern Jutland) and Trelleborg (Zealand). Trelleborg has a reconstructed Viking longhouse and a visitor’s centre. An annual Viking market is featured too. Viking ring fortresses were originally wooden garrisons with longhouses, though today only the ramparts remain.

Viking Moot at Moesgaard Museum
The Moesgaard Beach by Aarhus is the venue of an annual Viking Moot – Denmark’s oldest and still its largest Viking Heritage Festival. The event features combat shows, a Viking market and Viking beach barbecues with authentic fare.

The Viking Ship Museum
An authentic Viking longboat and several vessels are exhibited at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde. At the heritage boatyard you can watch craftspeople and marine archaeologists at work creating reconstructed Viking vessels. And you can try your talent as an oarsman on board a Viking ship on daily trips.

The Ribe Viking Center
Located next to Scandinavia’s oldest town dating back 1,300 years, the Ribe Viking Centre features reconstructed Viking Age settlements. Costumed artisans demonstrate the arts and crafts of the ages. Events and markets are held throughout the holiday seasons.

The Viking Museum at Ladby
In the year 925 a Viking chieftain was buried with his Viking ship, horses and worldly possessions close to Kerteminde on Funen. There is a small museum and heritage boatyard where a reconstruction of the boat is being created. The Viking Museum at Ladby.
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