Dive into the myriad cultural experiences awaiting you in Aarhus and throughout the entire Aarhus Region - whether under open skies or within indoor spaces.
Photo: Skovgaard Museet
In 2017, when Aarhus hosted the European Capital of Culture, the city and the entire region transformed into a global cultural treasure. This unforgettable year not only elevated our domestic and international reputation but also opened the doors to numerous deeply enriching cultural experiences.
Experience history up close
Many places offer you the opportunity to step into the past and meet the people who once inhabited and lived in the area. Alternatively, you can delve into today's creative storytellers, come face to face with the past, and embark on time travels to a distant era, long before our own.
Photo: Photo/Media Department - Moesgaard Museum
Moesgaard Museum
The past is brought to fascinating life at the Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus. The exhibits are based on the latest research and technology and aim at giving you an insight into prehistory and anthropology in an entertaining and surprising way.
Take a journey through time with your family or friends in Den Gamle By in Aarhus. See, feel and experience the history of Danish towns through four different time periods: 2014, 1974, 1927 and 1864.
ARoS is an international art museum in the centre of Aarhus, second city in Denmark. With five galleries and an entire floor dedicated to installation art, ARoS offers an important free space where it is possible to understand the past, explore the present and imagine the future in completely new ways.
'The Grauballe Man' has been surrounded by mystery and intrigue ever since a local team of peat diggers happened to uncover a body in the Nebelgaard Mose peat bog in the village of Grauballe, just west of Aarhus. This fortuitous find took place on 26th April, 1952.
The Tollund Man - a more than 2,200-year-old well-preserved bog body
In 1950, a dead body was found in a bog near Silkeborg, and this should turn out to be quite a sensational find. The bog body, which was later named the Tollund Man, happened to be between 2,200-2,400 years old and exceptionally well-preserved.
Frigate Jylland – a Living Museum Ship from the 19th Century
The frigate Jylland is a historic naval vessel from 1860 – built for war, used as a royal yacht, and preserved as a museum. Today, it lies moored in Ebeltoft, where visitors can explore the ship’s many decks and experience life at sea, traditional craftsmanship, and maritime technology from a defining period in Danish history – the Schleswig Wars.
At Det Grønne Museum - The Green Museum, on Djursland, you can learn about hunting, the forest, agriculture and food all under one roof. Here, history comes to life through exhibitions, activities and stories about nature, local produce and the way of life that has shaped Denmark.
In several places in East Jutland you can explore Museum Østjyland's exciting stories from past to present. In Randers, the museum invites you on a captivating cultural and historical journey through time - from ancient mysteries to modern life.
Glass - Museum of Glass is an international museum of modern glass art, beautifully situated in the town of Ebeltoft. All year round, you get to experience changing exhibits of world-class glass art. The museum’s permanent collection comprises more than 1,600 pieces from around the world.
Viborg Cathedral was originally built in the 12th-13th century in Romanesque style and holds a strong presence in both the cityscape and the city's long history. Over time, the cathedral has been ravaged by multiple fires and has been reconstructed and rebuilt several times. It is now also one of the world's largest granite churches.
Randers Art Museum covers more than 250 years of art and tells stories of how Denmark and the arts have changed over time in dialogue with the wider world.
The bicycle route Kulturringen will lead you through Danish culture which is located in beautiful and varied landscapes with roaming hills, lakes, ocean, forests and streams. Experience castles, museums, ruins, charming fishing villages and much more.
At De fem Halder, the five Halds, near Viborg, you can explore 800 years of Danish history in a scenic area by Lake Hald. Discover castle ruins, a manor house setting, an exhibition, walks and historical traces, all set amidst and close to nature.
Aarhus Cathedral is an impressive landmark in the centre of Aarhus – Denmark's longest and one of the country's oldest cathedrals. Discover Gothic architecture, frescoes and a vibrant church interior. The beautiful cathedral was dedicated to St. Clement, who was Pope in Rome around the year 100. The Pope was martyred when he was thrown into the water with an anchor tied around his neck, causing him to drown.
Close to Viborg you'll find Mønsted Kalkgruber, the world's largest limestone mine, where you can explore a fascinating underground world. Here you'll get a unique insight into the history of the hardy men and women who have carved kilometres of tunnels by hand over the centuries.
Memphis Mansion - a tribute to Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash
In Randers, you can get up close to Elvis Presley at the Memphis Mansion museum, inspired by Elvis' home “Graceland” in the Southern United States. The house is a tribute to the King of Rock'n'Roll and the exterior is virtually identical to Graceland in Memphis. In addition, you can now also experience the legendary Jonny Cash ‘The Man In Black’ at the museum.
Explore BMA, where the public library has joined forces with with the local museum and the towns historic archives. Enjoy the local brew in the microbrewery and brewpub, visit the cosy eatery Lundbergs Spisehus, and check out the event calendar of Kulturloft – or visit Rampen, the youth culture club with its own café and skater pool.
GAIA Museum Outsider Art exhibitions are created on the edge of or outside the traditional range of art. Its works are in a category of their own, in that they do not represent a given style or school, but a multitude of different forms of expression.
Museum Silkeborg's main department, Hovedgården, is located in Silkeborg's oldest building, Silkeborg Hovedgård, from 1767. Here you can meet the museum's most important people, the Tollund Man and the Elling Woman, and experience many other exciting exhibitions throughout the year, all of which provide many hours of educational and fun experiences for the whole family.
