Sødisbakkes Museum

An intimate local history museum revealing the everyday lives, work and creativity of residents at Sødisbakke, a long‑standing care institution near Mariager.

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Sødisbakkes Museum

Sødisbakkes Museum, just outside Mariager, is a small yet thought‑provoking local history museum attached to the Sødisbakke residential institution for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Exhibitions focus on everyday life, creativity and community at the institution, with personal objects, artworks, photos and crafts that reveal how residents have lived, worked and expressed themselves over the decades. Open limited afternoons, it offers a quiet, reflective cultural stop in the Himmerland countryside.

A brief summary to Sødisbakkes Museum

Havndalvej 7c, Mariager, 9550, DK
+4597645816
Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
Budget
Indoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Tuesday 2 pm-5 pm
Thursday 2 pm-5 pm

Local tips

Check current opening hours in advance; the museum is usually only open limited afternoons during the week, often a few hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Plan at least one unhurried hour so you can read the exhibition texts and look closely at the personal objects, photos and artworks on display.
Pair your visit with time in Mariager town or at nearby cultural sites to make a fuller day out in the Himmerland area.

Getting There

Car from Mariager town

From central Mariager, driving to Sødisbakkes Museum typically takes around 5–10 minutes, depending on traffic through the small local roads. Expect a distance of roughly 5–7 km through the countryside. There is usually free on-site or nearby parking connected to the Sødisbakke institution, but spaces can be limited on busy weekdays when staff are present. Fuel is your main cost; there is no separate road fee for this short journey.
Taxi within Mariager area

If you do not have a car, a local taxi from Mariager to Sødisbakkes Museum generally takes about 5–10 minutes. For such a short ride in a small Danish town, fares are commonly in the range of 120–200 DKK one way, depending on time of day and waiting time. Taxis should be pre-booked by phone, especially outside normal working hours, as rank availability can be limited.
Cycling from Mariager

Cycling from Mariager to Sødisbakkes Museum is a pleasant option in good weather, taking roughly 20–30 minutes each way at a moderate pace. The route follows local rural roads with gentle hills and standard tarmac surfaces, suitable for most regular bicycles. There is no dedicated cycle lane for the full distance, so basic road awareness is needed. Cycling is free, but bring water and a windproof layer, as conditions can change quickly near the fjord.

Sødisbakkes Museum location weather suitability

Any Weather
Rain / Wet Weather
Cold Weather
Mild Temperatures

Discover more about Sødisbakkes Museum

A museum born from a living community

Sødisbakkes Museum sits within the grounds of the Sødisbakke residential institution, a long‑standing home for people with physical and intellectual disabilities in the countryside near Mariager. Rather than presenting distant history, the museum grows directly out of this place. It documents how residents and staff have lived together over the decades, turning everyday life into an archive of local social history. The institution’s story mirrors broader changes in Danish welfare and care. Where earlier generations experienced more rigid, hospital‑like conditions, later years brought a stronger focus on autonomy, creativity and participation. The museum brings these shifts into focus through simple but telling objects: furniture from former wards, tools from workshops and photographs of activities that filled the days.

Objects that tell personal stories

Inside the compact exhibition rooms, display cases hold items that once belonged to specific residents: hand‑knitted garments, decorated boxes, favourite toys and small collections of keepsakes. Each object hints at personal preferences, habits and relationships, making the history feel close and human. Short texts and curated arrangements help visitors understand how these things fitted into daily routines. Alongside personal belongings, the museum shows tools, uniforms and documents from the institution’s changing workspaces – from early craft rooms and laundries to later creative studios. This mix of items offers insight into how residents contributed to the running of the place and how work, leisure and therapy were woven together.

Art, crafts and creative expression

One of the most striking elements is the wealth of artworks and crafts made by residents over many years. Walls carry colourful paintings and drawings, often bold in line and expressive in motif. Shelves present ceramics, woven pieces and small sculptural figures whose forms may be simple but are rich in character. These works show how creativity has been encouraged as both pastime and form of communication. Some pieces illustrate everyday scenes at Sødisbakke, others reach outward into fantasy landscapes and abstract patterns. Together they offer an alternative lens on local culture, shaped by perspectives that are often underrepresented in mainstream museums.

A quiet glimpse behind institutional walls

Sødisbakkes Museum has an intimate atmosphere. Its scale is modest, and the setting within an ongoing institution creates a sense of stepping gently into someone else’s home territory. The pace is unhurried: this is a place to read small labels, look closely at photographs and notice the details in handmade objects. The rural surroundings add to that calm feeling. From the museum you are never far from gardens, simple paths and low, functional buildings that reflect the everyday reality of life here. It is a setting that encourages reflection on dignity, belonging and what it means to create a community for people with differing abilities.

Planning a focused, short visit

The museum is typically open only on selected afternoons during the week, most often a few hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so checking current opening times before setting out is important. Because the collection is compact, many visitors find that an hour is enough to see the exhibits at a comfortable pace, though those who like to read every panel may stay longer. A visit combines well with time in Mariager itself or with exploring the wider Himmerland cultural landscape, but Sødisbakkes Museum offers something distinct: a focused, respectful look at the everyday lives, work and creativity of a community that usually remains out of sight in conventional heritage narratives.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Hotel Postgaarden Mariager

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Mariager Kirke

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Mariager Church

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Mariager Lystbådehavn

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Mariager Fjord

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Denmark's longest fjord winds through pristine Jutland landscapes, offering unspoilt nature, charming villages, and exceptional outdoor adventures.

Restaurant BramslevGaard

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Hotel BramslevGaard

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Hobro Lystbådehavn

11.0 km

Denmark's premier fjord marina with historic charm and modern comfort.

Sven Dalsgaards Plads

20.5 km

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Randers St.

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Randers Railwaystation

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Hotel Randers

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Springkilden

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Rold Forest

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Troldeskoven

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Unmissable attractions to see

Alstrup krat

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Mariager Museum

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Ivan Evigvår trold

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Mariager Klosterhave

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Mariager Sejlklub

0.8 km

Friendly marina and sailing club on the shores of Mariager Fjord, blending sheltered berths, local sailing culture and easy access to a charming historic town.

Rosenhaven

0.9 km

An intimate rose garden in the heart of Mariager, where hundreds of varieties, church spires and cobbled streets meet in a quietly fragrant city retreat.

Munkholmanlægget

0.9 km

A peaceful woodland escape featuring forest trails, a whimsical troll sculpture, and a rose garden in charming Mariager.

Mariager Strandpark

0.9 km

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Veteranjernbanen Mariager-Handest

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Saltcentret

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Mariager Idræts Klub

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Mariager Camping

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Mariagerfjord Frikirke

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Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb

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Miniseum

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Essential places to dine

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A'porta

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Mariager Bistro & Konditori

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Havnens Grill & Pølsebod

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Landgangen

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Star Pizza & Grill

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Restauration Orkidee Dania - Mad som man kender

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Restauration Orkidee Dania - Mad som man kender

Cafe Fyret Kongsdal

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Restaurant Bramslev Bakker

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Restaurant Uafhængig

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Færgekroen Hadsund

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Restaurant The Grill Hobro

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Nida's food

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Essential bars & hidden hideouts

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Den Graa Kok Vinkælderen

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ar

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Jazz Hobro

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Bræddehytten Bar & Pub

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Torvebaren

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Vognhjulet Pub

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Madam Blå's Vandhul

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Rottehullet / Bodega

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Center Pubben ApS

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Sunes Bodega

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Bykroen

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Cocktail Klubben

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Sødisbakkes Museum

A brief summary to Sødisbakkes Museum

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Car from Mariager town

Taxi within Mariager area

Cycling from Mariager

Sødisbakkes Museum location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Sødisbakkes Museum

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Sødisbakkes Museum

A museum born from a living community

Objects that tell personal stories

Art, crafts and creative expression

A quiet glimpse behind institutional walls

Planning a focused, short visit

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Hotel Postgaarden Mariager

Mariager Kirke

Mariager Church

Mariager Lystbådehavn

Mariager Fjord

Restaurant BramslevGaard

Hotel BramslevGaard

Hobro Lystbådehavn

Sven Dalsgaards Plads

Randers St.

Randers Railwaystation

Hotel Randers

Springkilden

Rold Forest

Troldeskoven

Unmissable attractions to see

Alstrup krat

Mariager Museum

Ivan Evigvår trold

Mariager Klosterhave

Mariager Sejlklub

Rosenhaven

Munkholmanlægget

Mariager Strandpark

Veteranjernbanen Mariager-Handest

Saltcentret

Mariager Idræts Klub

Mariager Camping

Mariagerfjord Frikirke

Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb

Miniseum

Essential places to dine

Torve Pizza Mariager v/Kenan Atas

A'porta

Mariager Bistro & Konditori

Havnens Grill & Pølsebod

Landgangen

Star Pizza & Grill

Restauration Orkidee Dania - Mad som man kender

Cafe Fyret Kongsdal

Restaurant Bramslev Bakker

Restaurant Uafhængig

Færgekroen Hadsund

davinci RISTORANTE

Restaurant The Grill Hobro

Matios Det Italienske Spisehus

Nida's food

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Klosterkaelderen.dk Antiques & Porcelain

JamerAntik.dk

Vaffelbageren i Mariager

Kirkepladsens Blomster Mariager ApS

Helga Winther Smykkedesigner

Strikkehjørnet Mariager

Klæd Dig - Mariager

Diva

Jørgensen Sko

Vinspecialisten Mariager

Mariager Boghandel

SuperBrugsen