Silkeborg Arkiv

Silkeborg’s collective memory, preserving documents, images and stories that trace the lakeside city’s journey from industrial outpost to modern municipality.

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Silkeborg Archive

Silkeborg Arkiv is the city’s cultural-historical archive and official municipal record office, housed in a modest building on Hostrupsgade in central Silkeborg. Since 1918 it has safeguarded photos, documents, newspapers and private collections that trace the town’s growth from paper-mill settlement to modern lakeside city. Visitors can explore the reading room, consult staff on family or house history, and browse exhibitions that bring local stories and characters to life.

A brief summary to Silkeborg Archive

Hostrupsgade 41A, Silkeborg, 8600, DK
+4587221924
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
Free
Indoor
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Monday 10 am-4 pm
Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
Thursday 12 pm-6 pm
Friday 10 am-2 pm

Local tips

Plan your visit during weekday opening hours; Thursday’s later closing is convenient if you want more time with the collections after lunch.
If you have specific research questions, contact the archive in advance so staff can advise on sources or prepare relevant material.
Bring a laptop or notebook and a USB stick; photography and scanning of materials are often possible under staff guidance.
Have key details ready for genealogical research, such as names, approximate dates and addresses, to make the best use of your time.
Combine a stop at the archive with a walk through central Silkeborg, using historic photos and maps to compare past and present streetscapes.

Getting There

City bus from central Silkeborg

From central Silkeborg, use the local city bus network towards routes serving the Hostrupsgade area; typical travel time is 5–10 minutes depending on traffic. Buses usually run several times per hour on weekdays, with reduced frequency in evenings and weekends. Expect to pay around 20–25 DKK for a single adult ticket purchased on board or via local ticketing apps. Most buses are low-floor and suitable for travelers with limited mobility.
On foot from Silkeborg Torv

If you are already in the city centre near Silkeborg Torv, you can walk to Hostrupsgade in roughly 10–20 minutes at a relaxed pace. The route follows ordinary pavements through level urban streets, suitable for most visitors, including those pushing strollers. Surfaces are generally even, but allow extra time if you prefer a slower pace or are using a mobility aid.
Bicycle within Silkeborg

Cycling is a convenient way to reach Hostrupsgade from neighbourhoods around Silkeborg, with typical riding times of 5–15 minutes from most central districts. The town has a mix of cycle paths and shared roads; traffic is moderate, but use lights and reflective gear in darker months. Many accommodations offer bike rental, usually from about 80–120 DKK per day, and you can park your bicycle close to the archive entrance.
Regional train and short transfer

Arriving in Silkeborg by regional train from larger towns such as Aarhus or Herning takes roughly 30–45 minutes, with ticket prices commonly in the 60–120 DKK range one way depending on distance and time of purchase. From Silkeborg Station, you can continue by city bus or walk from the station area, which adds around 10–20 minutes of travel time. The station and trains generally offer step-free access, though assistance may need to be requested in advance.

Silkeborg Archive location weather suitability

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Discover more about Silkeborg Archive

The memory bank of a lakeside town

Silkeborg Arkiv is often described as the city’s collective memory, a place where everyday lives and major events are preserved side by side. Founded in 1918, it began by documenting a young industrial town that had grown up around the paper mill and railway, then expanded to cover the entire municipality as the area developed. Today the archive functions both as a cultural-historical institution and as the official public archive for Silkeborg Municipality, holding records that illuminate political decisions, urban growth and social change across more than a century.

Collections that turn names into stories

Behind the compact public spaces lie rows of shelves and carefully controlled storerooms holding an impressive variety of material. There are municipal files and council minutes, business records, club and association archives, personal papers, maps, photographs, local newspapers and boxes of fragile clippings. For anyone tracing a family tree or researching the history of a house, the archive’s tools are a treasure: population registers, parish material, address and property records, as well as the dedicated “Søg Silkeborg” person-search databases created with the help of volunteers, which piece together clues from many different sources.

A welcoming reading room atmosphere

The public face of Silkeborg Arkiv is its light, functional reading room, where researchers, students and curious locals settle at tables with laptops and archival boxes. Staff members are on hand to guide first-time visitors through catalogues, digital searches and the etiquette of handling original documents. The pace here is calm and unhurried. You might hear the soft whirr of a scanner, the rustle of tissue paper being folded back from an old photograph, or quiet conversation as someone shares a newly discovered image of a street corner that looks both familiar and transformed.

Local history brought into the present

Beyond the shelves, the archive has an active role in making Silkeborg’s past feel relevant. It creates small exhibitions, themed displays and talks on topics ranging from industrial heritage to changing leisure habits along the lakes and forests. Staff collaborate with schools, cultural associations and the public library to weave archival material into teaching and events. Digital platforms extend this work, allowing people to encounter images, stories and source material online before or after a visit, and to contribute knowledge about places, buildings and people from their own family albums.

Exploring Silkeborg through documents and images

A visit here can easily turn into an informal city tour on paper. Old street plans show how districts grew; photographs reveal vanished shopfronts, ferries on the Gudenå and early holiday cabins in the surrounding countryside. Collections related to major local employers, cultural institutions and social movements reveal how work and leisure evolved for Silkeborg’s residents. Even a short stop can provide a deeper layer of context for a walk through town: facades and place names start to carry stories of industrial entrepreneurs, workers’ housing, cultural initiatives and civic debates that shaped the city visitors see today.

Volunteers, collaboration and continuity

A significant part of the archive’s strength lies in its network of volunteers and partners, who help with tasks such as transcribing sources, identifying people and places in photographs and contributing local knowledge. This collaborative spirit ensures that the collections remain alive, continually expanding as new donations arrive. Combined with professional archival standards, these efforts safeguard Silkeborg’s documentary heritage for future generations, making the archive an unassuming but essential institution in the city’s cultural landscape.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Silkeborg Water Tower

0.2 km

A heritage-listed industrial landmark symbolising Silkeborg's textile manufacturing legacy.

silkeborg

0.8 km

Historic 1871 railway landmark connecting Central Jutland with frequent regional services and heritage charm.

Lovisehøj

3.1 km

A 73-meter forest hill with royal heritage and sweeping views across Danish lakes and woodlands.

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

3.3 km

A modest memorial stone in Silkeborg Vesterskov, where forest tranquillity and wartime history meet in a quiet, contemplative woodland clearing.

Bølling Lake

10.6 km

A restored glacial lake offering scenic walks, excellent fishing, and peaceful nature immersion in central Jutland.

Himmelbjerget rutebåd

10.7 km

Denmark's highest point crowned by a historic tower, accessible by scenic lake cruise or forest trail.

Store Troldhøj

10.8 km

A cone-shaped summit offering panoramic valley views and a climbing tree in Denmark's scenic lake district.

Folkemøde Mindesten anno 1839

11.1 km

Denmark's first democratic gathering, 1839—where ordinary citizens claimed their political voice.

Randershøj

11.3 km

A scenic hilltop viewpoint offering panoramic vistas across Denmark's lake-filled landscape and forest-covered terrain.

Landal Søhøjlandet

12.7 km

Escape to Landal Søhøjlandet in Denmark's Lake District: Family fun, water park thrills, outdoor adventures, and tranquil nature await in this scenic holiday paradise near Silkeborg.

Jutland's Automobile Museum

13.9 km

Discover Denmark's automotive history at Jutland's Automobile Museum in Gjern, showcasing vintage cars and motorcycles from the early 1900s to iconic post-war models, offering a unique glimpse into the nation's motoring heritage.

Abbey Mill

16.8 km

Explore Abbey Mill in Skanderborg: A picturesque blend of history and nature, perfect for leisurely strolls and unforgettable experiences.

Øm Klostermuseum

17.9 km

Discover Denmark's medieval monastic life at Øm Klostermuseum near Ry: Explore ruins, gardens, and artifacts revealing centuries of history and brewing traditions.

Jutland

20.0 km

Discover Jutland, Denmark: Explore Viking history, stunning nature, and family fun on the mainland peninsula, offering an authentic Danish experience.

Mossø

20.4 km

Discover the serene beauty of Mossø, Denmark's third-largest lake, offering hiking, watersports, and historical sites in the heart of the Danish Lake District.

Unmissable attractions to see

Badeanstalten

0.0 km

Denmark's most authentic bathhouse—a historic Nordic wellness sanctuary preserving centuries of bathing tradition.

Galerie Moderne Silkeborg

0.1 km

One of Scandinavia’s largest modern art galleries, blending CoBrA masterpieces, contemporary works and a welcoming, free-to-enter space in central Silkeborg.

Vægmaleri

0.2 km

Experience the tradition of Denmark’s lake steamers aboard Turbådene Himmelbjerget, a nostalgic boat journey bridging Ry, Silkeborg, and the legendary hill.

Statue of Michael Drewsen

0.4 km

Panoramic forested hilltop viewpoint steeped in royal legend, offering sweeping vistas over Silkeborg’s lakes and the lush Søhøjlandet landscape.

Tollundmanden

0.5 km

Meet the Tollund Man, a 2,400‑year‑old bog body whose hauntingly preserved face and story of ritual, death and discovery define Museum Silkeborg’s Iron Age heart.

Museum Silkeborg, Hovedgården

0.6 km

Step into Silkeborg’s oldest manor house to meet Tollund Man, explore bog mysteries and trace the town’s journey from Iron Age wetlands to modern Jutland hub.

Springvand

0.7 km

Silkeborg Langsø’s towering fountain turns the town’s central lake into a stage of water and light, blending engineering spectacle with everyday lakeside life.

The Hjejle Agency

0.7 km

Denmark's oldest steamship still operating with its original 1861 engine, offering historic cruises through the scenic Silkeborg Lake District.

Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

0.8 km

A living paper workshop in Silkeborg’s old factory, where you watch pulp become sheets, learn about banknote paper and try your hand at this quietly magical craft.

Riverboat Jazz Festival

0.9 km

Swinging jazz, riverboats and long Nordic evenings fuse in Silkeborg’s lake district for a five-day celebration where the entire town becomes a waterside stage.

Kedelhuset

0.9 km

Intimate live music and performance venue in Silkeborg’s former paper mill boiler house, blending industrial charm with a modern black box concert hall.

Museum Jorn, Silkeborg

0.9 km

Riverfront modern art sanctuary in Silkeborg, uniting Asger Jorn’s bold legacy, CoBrA masterpieces and hands-on creativity in an intimate, light-filled museum.

Dronningestolen

1.1 km

A modest forest hill with a royal name, Dronningestolen offers a framed Silkeborg panorama, woodland quiet and a sense of history above the lakeside town.

MOSES

1.1 km

Discover leading Danish and international contemporary art in the heart of Silkeborg, with exhibitions, events, and a welcoming, creative atmosphere at Galerie Moderne.

Slotsholmen

1.1 km

Experience breathtaking panoramic views over Silkeborg's heather-clad hills and serene lakes at Kongestolen, a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Mediterranean-inspired social dining, wine and cocktails in a cosy Silkeborg townhouse with a lively bar and atmospheric courtyard terrace.

A contemporary Danish womenswear boutique in central Silkeborg, offering accessible Scandinavian style, versatile outfits and relaxed, easy-going browsing.

A classic Silkeborg bodega on Borgergade, where smoke, cold beer and easy conversation create an unpretentious local living room from late morning to late night.

Experience Herning’s vibrant music scene at Fermaten, the city’s top venue for live concerts, cultural events, and dynamic nights out in central Jutland.

Scandic Opus Horsens

37.0 km

A contemporary Scandinavian hotel in Horsens with spa, dining, and panoramic city-to-nature views—an elegant gateway to both urban and outdoor experiences.

Jazzens Venner

37.8 km

Experience live jazz performances in Randers' intimate and vibrant Jazzens Venner club.

Der Kuhstall Mønsted

38.2 km

Rural barn vibes meet late-night beats at this countryside nightclub near Viborg, where casual crowds, strong drinks and a compact dance floor power the weekend.

Sölibat Natklub

38.4 km

Late-night, no-frills clubbing in central Horsens, where loud music, simple drinks and a compact dance floor create an unapologetically local party vibe.

Hemingway's Horsens

38.4 km

Late-night disco bar in central Horsens with a mature crowd, classic hits from past decades and a cozy-but-lively atmosphere every Friday and Saturday.

Morzybitten

38.5 km

Experience the essence of Danish 'hygge' at Morzybitten, Horsens' premier barista and beer bar with live music.

Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

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Silkeborg Arkiv

A brief summary to Silkeborg Archive

Local tips

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

Getting There

City bus from central Silkeborg

On foot from Silkeborg Torv

Bicycle within Silkeborg

Regional train and short transfer

Silkeborg Archive location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Silkeborg Archive

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Silkeborg Archive

The memory bank of a lakeside town

Collections that turn names into stories

A welcoming reading room atmosphere

Local history brought into the present

Exploring Silkeborg through documents and images

Volunteers, collaboration and continuity

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Silkeborg Water Tower

silkeborg

Lovisehøj

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

Bølling Lake

Himmelbjerget rutebåd

Store Troldhøj

Folkemøde Mindesten anno 1839

Randershøj

Landal Søhøjlandet

Jutland's Automobile Museum

Abbey Mill

Øm Klostermuseum

Jutland

Mossø

Unmissable attractions to see

Badeanstalten

Galerie Moderne Silkeborg

Vægmaleri

Statue of Michael Drewsen

Tollundmanden

Museum Silkeborg, Hovedgården

Springvand

The Hjejle Agency

Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

Riverboat Jazz Festival

Kedelhuset

Museum Jorn, Silkeborg

Dronningestolen

MOSES

Slotsholmen

Essential places to dine

Green Habits

Sabel - Restaurant og Bar

Burger Beast Silkeborg

Flamingo Pizza V/Aydin Wahab

Restaurant Spyd

La Casita

Restaurant Piaf

Okkels Silkeborg ApS

VIVI Mad- & Vinbar

Ristorante Pizzeria Roma

Joci Sushi

Marco Polo - Silkeborg

Madkassen V/allan Petersen

Hot Inn

BABBA

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Pindhus.dk

Fair Retro

Huset Lene Bak Silkeborg

t.i.n.g.

Børnenes Kartel Silkeborg

Boemo

Mr Silkeborg A / S

Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Companys Silkeborg

Bog & idé - Silkeborg Vestergade