Roskilde Museum

A Thousand Years Beneath One Roof

Roskilde Museum invites visitors to journey through a millennium of Danish history within two remarkable heritage buildings in the city's heart. Since 1929, the museum has occupied Sukkerhuset (The Sugar House), built in 1761 for sugar production, and Liebes Gård, a merchant's residence constructed around 1800. These protected structures themselves are historical artifacts, their walls echoing centuries of Roskilde's transformation from royal capital to garrison town. The museum's exhibitions flow seamlessly from Ice Age artefacts through the Iron Age, Viking period, and medieval times, culminating in narratives of 20th-century warfare and modern Roskilde.

Archaeological Treasures and Mysterious Discoveries

The museum's collections showcase extraordinary finds from excavations across Roskilde and its surrounding region. Among the most striking exhibits is the complete skeleton of a prehistoric auroch, a massive wild ox that roamed northern Europe thousands of years ago. Medieval silvercoins, intricately carved chesspieces, and weapons tell stories of trade, leisure, and conflict in medieval Roskilde. The mysterious tomb of Gerdrup stands as one of the museum's most enigmatic displays, inviting speculation about ancient burial practices and the people who inhabited this land long before written records. Each artifact is contextualized within the broader narrative of how Roskilde developed from a settlement into one of Denmark's most important historical centres.

Interactive Learning for All Ages

Beyond static displays, Roskilde Museum creates immersive experiences for visitors of all ages. An entire floor dedicated to children features interactive activities and storytelling about school life a century ago, engaging young minds with hands-on exploration. Creative workshops run throughout the year, allowing families to participate in historical crafts and activities. Guided tours bring exhibitions to life, available both within the museum galleries and as walking tours through the city itself, connecting the artifacts to the streets and landmarks that shaped Roskilde's destiny. The museum's event program varies seasonally, offering diverse ways to engage with history.

Atmosphere and Setting

The museum's location on Sankt Ols Stræde places it in the historic core of Roskilde, surrounded by medieval architecture and centuries-old streets. The heritage buildings themselves contribute to the experience, their period features and restored interiors creating an authentic historical atmosphere. Natural light filters through windows that frame views of the surrounding cityscape, grounding visitors in the present while exploring the past. The intimate scale of the exhibitions contrasts with the grandeur of the stories they tell—from prehistoric survival to medieval kingship to modern resilience.

Café and Museum Shop

The museum café, Jampa, offers a modern space to rest and reflect, with quality refreshments and honest communication about its offerings. The café welcomes visitors without museum admission, making it accessible to the broader community. The museum shop curates a thoughtful selection of items inspired by the collections, ideal for gifts or personal inspiration, allowing visitors to take home tangible connections to Roskilde's history.

Roskilde's Place in Danish History

Roskilde Museum exists to illuminate why this city matters to Denmark's national story. Once Denmark's capital and home to royal power, Roskilde witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, the arrival of Christianity, the flourishing of medieval trade, and the upheavals of modern conflict. By presenting artifacts and narratives spanning from prehistoric times to today, the museum demonstrates how geography, maritime access, and human ambition shaped a settlement into a centre of political, religious, and cultural significance. Visitors leave with a deeper understanding of how local history connects to the broader arc of Danish civilization.