The Old House (Det Gamle Hus), Kirkestræde 20, Køge
One of Denmark’s oldest dated half‑timbered houses, this 1527 gem in Køge’s old town now hosts a cosy children’s library and atmospheric vaulted cellar.
Tucked into the cobbled lane of Kirkestræde in Køge’s old town, **The Old House** at no. 20 is one of Denmark’s oldest dated half‑timbered houses, built in 1527. Once a modest rental dwelling known as a “våning”, it narrowly escaped demolition in the early 1900s and was painstakingly restored. Today the low, crooked timber frame, red monk‑and‑nun roof tiles and deep fieldstone cellar form part of Køge Library, housing a cosy children’s section and a characterful vaulted basement used for events.
A brief summary to the old house
- Kirkestræde 20, Køge, 4600, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Free
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Step back from the facade and look along the street line to see how the Old House leans and settles compared with its neighbours.
- If the library is open, pop inside to experience the low ceilings, timber beams and children’s area that bring the 1500s interior to life.
- Combine a visit here with a short stroll to Køge’s main square and church tower to appreciate how this modest lane fit into the wider medieval town.
- Look for the roof tiles: the monk‑and‑nun style is a result of early 20th‑century restoration meant to echo the house’s original appearance.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Train and short walk from Copenhagen
From Copenhagen, take an intercity or regional train towards Køge; the journey typically takes 35–45 minutes and is covered by standard zone tickets or city passes, with prices usually in the range of 60–80 DKK one way in regular adult fare. Trains run frequently throughout the day. From Køge Station it is an easy, mostly flat 10–15 minute walk through the old town streets to Kirkestræde, suitable for most visitors and prams, though cobblestones can be uneven for wheelchairs.
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S‑train from Greater Copenhagen
If you are staying elsewhere in Greater Copenhagen, use the S‑train line that serves Køge; travel times commonly range from 35 to 55 minutes depending on the starting station. Journeys use the same ticket system as the rest of the metropolitan area, so city passes or multi‑ride cards are valid, and a single adult ticket usually falls around 40–70 DKK within the appropriate zones. Services are frequent during the day, with reduced but regular departures in the evening. From Køge Station, follow the pedestrian routes into the old centre for a 10–15 minute stroll to the house.
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Car from Zealand locations
Arriving by car from other parts of Zealand, plan on 20–40 minutes from many nearby towns and around 45 minutes to an hour from central Copenhagen, depending on traffic on the motorways. Parking in and around Køge’s old town is generally available in designated car parks near the centre, often with time limits or paid zones; expect typical short‑stay fees in the region of 10–20 DKK per hour. From the nearest public parking areas, you will need to walk several hundred metres on foot through cobbled streets to reach Kirkestræde, so comfortable shoes and allowance for uneven surfaces are recommended.
the old house location weather suitability
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Clear Skies
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Any Weather
Discover more about the old house
A tiny 1500s dwelling in a medieval lane
The Old House on Kirkestræde 20 looks almost modest at first glance: a low, crooked half‑timbered building pressed close to the cobbled street. Yet this small structure is one of Denmark’s oldest dated non‑religious houses, its construction fixed to the year 1527 by an inscription uncovered above the door centuries later. In the 1500s, this was a simple rental dwelling in a growing market town, set among workshops, merchants and sailors heading to the harbour. The lane itself still feels intimate and slightly secretive. Timber facades lean towards each other, and the Old House seems to belong to a much smaller scale of daily life, when rooms were low, windows tiny and the street outside was the main stage of the day.From simple ‘våning’ to protected monument
Originally, the building consisted of a single large room, part of a row of similar rental houses known as “våninger” or “boder”. It once had a twin house attached to its northern gable, creating a continuous line of small dwellings for townsfolk of modest means. Over time, additions on the rear formed a lean‑to with a kitchen and hearth, and the interior was divided into smaller chambers. By the late 1800s, the Old House had passed through a long succession of tenants, from a retired dragoon lieutenant to a 19th‑century skins trader. Layers of whitewash and alterations concealed its age until a renovation in 1888 scraped away 14 coatings of lime and revealed the carved date lintel, confirming its 16th‑century origins and sparking interest in its preservation.Rescued, restored and re‑roofed
In 1908, plans for a new almshouse complex threatened the survival of the Old House and its neighbour. No. 22 was demolished, but No. 20 was saved at the last moment through the intervention of heritage authorities, who recognised its rarity as an early urban dwelling. A careful restoration followed, removing later rear extensions and replacing ordinary roof tiles with traditional monk‑and‑nun tiles more in keeping with its age. The timber frame was stabilised, the facade straightened just enough to be safe, yet the building deliberately retains its gentle sagging lines and time‑softened beams. In 1918 it was granted protected status, securing its place as a listed monument within Køge’s historic centre.A children’s library with a 500‑year memory
Since the mid‑20th century the Old House has been closely linked with the neighbouring Køge Library. The last private resident moved out in the 1950s, and the building was adapted as part of the library complex, now hosting a cosy children’s section behind its tiny windows. Low ceilings, exposed beams and uneven floors give story hours and reading nooks a special atmosphere that feels far removed from a modern institutional space. The deep cellar below, built of massive fieldstones and reached via a stone stair, has become an atmospheric venue for small exhibitions and events. Over the centuries, the street level outside has risen more than a metre, so the basement that once sat closer to the surface now feels hidden, like a pocket of the 1500s preserved beneath today’s town.Reading the layers of Køge’s past
Seen from the outside, the Old House is a compact lesson in urban history. Its dark timber posts and white infill fields recall a time when half‑timber was the standard town building method, and its small scale contrasts with grander merchants’ houses elsewhere in Køge. Standing here, you sense the social layers of the town: humble renters in this lane, traders on the market square, and soldiers quartered nearby. Even as it serves a very contemporary purpose as a library space for children, the building quietly carries five centuries of stories—of tenants, renovations, near‑demolition and rescue. Pausing before its crooked facade, you are looking at a rare survivor: a lived‑in fragment of everyday 16th‑century Denmark still woven into the daily life of a modern town.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Essential places to dine
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Tranquil
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Instagrammable
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
