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Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård: An Island Time Capsule

Step into Denmark’s whaling heritage at Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård on Rømø – a lavish 18th-century captain’s farmstead in the heart of the Wadden Sea.

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Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård on Rømø is a beautifully preserved 18th-century whaling captain’s farmstead, offering visitors a window into the prosperous maritime Viking past of the Wadden Sea region. This historic estate tells stories of Rømø’s seafaring heritage through richly decorated interiors, atmospheric farm buildings, and seasonal activities that bring Denmark’s island culture to life.

A brief summary to Rold Forest

  • Vælderskoven, Skørping, 9520, DK

Local tips

  • Visit in spring or summer to catch living history events and farm animals in the meadows.
  • Take time to explore the surrounding landscape—wildflowers and sea views are just steps away.
  • Look for the rare blue Delft tiles and whalebone decorations inside the main house.
  • Bring a windbreaker or rain jacket—the weather on Rømø can shift quickly with sea breezes.
  • Parking is free but fills up by midday, especially during holidays and school breaks.
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Getting There

  • Car

    From the visitor centers or main road hubs of Wadden Sea National Park, reaching Rømø requires crossing the scenic causeway from the mainland, with expansive tidal views accompanying the ride. Once on the island, follow signs toward Juvre and the northern part of Rømø, where Kommandørgård is a prominent local attraction, set near open meadows and thatched farmhouses. Expect the drive from the mainland park edge to take approximately 30–40 minutes. Parking is available onsite and free of charge, but spaces may fill during peak periods.

  • Public Transport

    Buses link the nearest mainland train stations to Rømø, typically transferring at Skærbæk. Continuing on Rømø, route buses stop near Juvre village; from there, a short countryside walk brings visitors past sheep-dotted fields to Kommandørgård’s gate. The total journey from the mainland edge of the national park takes around 60–90 minutes, with fares averaging 66–90 DKK per adult for combined train and bus.

  • Bike

    Cyclists can follow well-marked island trails through windswept landscapes, passing sand dunes and marshes. The route toward Juvre offers wide sea vistas and is popular for its low traffic. Lockable racks are outside the museum. Expect a leisurely ride from the southern edge of the island to take about 35–50 minutes.

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Discover more about Rold Forest

On the windswept island of Rømø, bordered by the shifting tides and wide skies of the Wadden Sea, Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård stands as a striking symbol of the area’s prosperous whaling era. Built in the 1740s by a wealthy 'kommandør'—a whaling captain—this grand farmstead is now one of Denmark’s most evocative open-air museums, maintained by the National Museum as a living window into the island’s maritime and rural past. Inside the walled courtyard, visitors are immediately enveloped in a world of seafaring adventure, domestic wealth, and rural resilience. The estate’s timbered main house is adorned with panelled rooms, ornate Dutch tiles, and whalebone artifacts, reflecting the global reach and fortune of Rømø’s 18th-century whalers. The living rooms, with their painted ceilings and built-in box beds, vividly illustrate the daily life of affluent islanders and the fusion of Danish, Dutch, and German influences that shaped the region. Beyond this, the farmyard holds rare breeds of farm animals and traditional outbuildings, offering a hands-on glimpse into centuries-old agricultural practices. At peak times, living history interpreters demonstrate local crafts, and children can join engaging hands-on activities. Throughout the year, the estate’s surrounding meadows and dunes burst with wildflowers and migratory birdlife, reinforcing the deep link between nature and culture in the Wadden Sea World Heritage area. Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård’s enduring popularity lies in its atmospheric storytelling and authentic setting. Unlike many open-air museums, it preserves its original location amidst Rømø’s salt meadows and thatched farms, making a visit feel like time travel through Denmark’s stormy, storied North Sea frontier.

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