Location: Lyngby Map
Tel. 33 13 44 11
Open: Apr- Oct 10am- 5pm Tue- Sun
Frilandsmuseet is an open air museum situated in the Lyngby on the northern outskirts of Danish capital of Copenhagen. Frilandsmuseet covers an area of over 40 hectares. Over 100 buildings from different social strata were brought here from various villages of Denmark and date back to the 17th century. The museum admission is free of charge. You can get here from Copenhagen using a number 184 or 194 bus from Nørreport Station or by S train to Sorgenfri station. Many volunteers including blacksmiths, bricklayers, carpenters and many others come to Frilandsmuseet and show traditional Danish crafts that were common in the rural area.
Founding and Early Vision (Late 19th Century)
The museum's origins
trace to Bernhard Olsen (1836–1922), a visionary Danish museologist,
curator, and cultural figure. After studying at the Royal Academy of
Fine Arts, Olsen worked as a costumer at the Royal Theatre and later as
artistic director at Tivoli Gardens, where he designed elements like the
Peacock Theatre. He also founded Panoptikon, Scandinavia’s first wax
museum, which featured lifelike scenes from everyday life.
In 1885,
Olsen co-founded the Danish Folk Museum (Dansk Folkemuseum), which
displayed furnished peasant rooms and artifacts to document folk and
rural culture threatened by industrialization and modernization.
However, static indoor rooms felt insufficient. Olsen wanted visitors to
experience entire buildings in their natural context.
This ambition
led to Frilandsmuseet, officially established in 1897. It began modestly
in Rosenborg Castle Gardens (Kongens Have) in central Copenhagen, with a
few traditional farm buildings reconstructed there. The concept drew
inspiration from emerging open-air museum movements in Europe (e.g.,
Skansen in Sweden, opened 1891), but Olsen tailored it to Danish rural
heritage.
Relocation and Expansion (1901 Onward)
By 1901, the
site in central Copenhagen had become too cramped. Bernhard Olsen
purchased land around the historic Fuglevad Windmill in Sorgenfri
(Lyngby area), about 30 minutes north of Copenhagen. This became the
museum's permanent home. The initial plot was around 12 tønder (roughly
6 hectares); it has since expanded significantly.
The museum opened
at the new location with buildings moved piece by piece from their
original sites. This relocation preserved authenticity while creating an
immersive environment. Olsen devoted much of his life to this project,
personally sourcing buildings from across Denmark and former Danish
territories. He is buried on the museum grounds, where a memorial stone
honors him.
Growth of the Collection
Frilandsmuseet now spans
about 40–50 hectares (sources vary slightly on exact acreage, often
cited as ~40 ha or 86 acres). It features over 100 buildings (more than
50 main farm environments) dating from 1650 to 1950, plus gardens,
landscapes, and livestock of old Danish breeds.
Key aspects of
the collection include:
Diverse regions and materials: Buildings from
all parts of Denmark, including remote islands like Bornholm and Læsø
(e.g., a farmhouse thatched with kelp/seaweed). Also from the Faroe
Islands, and former Danish areas like Scania (Skåne) and Halland in
Sweden, and South Schleswig in Germany.
Social spectrum: From manor
houses and prosperous farms to poorhouses, workshops, and mills. This
shows varied living conditions and professions.
Mills and working
structures: Six mills, including a rare post mill from 1662. Some
operate with volunteer guilds.
Landscapes: 25 historic gardens and
cultural landscapes recreate authentic settings, with animals and plants
enhancing immersion.
All structures (except one windmill in its
original spot) were dismantled, transported, and meticulously
reassembled. Interiors are furnished as they would have been when
inhabited.
20th Century to Present
As a department of the
Danish National Museum (Nationalmuseet), Frilandsmuseet supports
research on agricultural and rural history. It has evolved from a
preservation project into a living museum with demonstrations, events,
crafts, theater, folk dancing, and educational programs.
In 2022, it
celebrated its 125th anniversary (marking 125 years since 1897), with
special events, returning favorites, and new experiences. The museum
remains open year-round (with seasonal variations) and attracts hundreds
of thousands of visitors annually.
Significance and Legacy
Frilandsmuseet stands as a pioneering effort to counteract the loss of
rural heritage during rapid industrialization. It allows visitors to
"step into history" — walking through homes, farms, and villages as they
existed across more than 350 years. The museum balances preservation
with accessibility, offering insights into everyday life, traditions,
architecture, and adaptation to regional conditions (e.g., material use
based on local resources).
It has influenced open-air museums
worldwide and continues to serve as an educational, recreational, and
cultural space. Families, historians, and tourists alike experience
Denmark's countryside past in a vivid, atmospheric setting surrounded by
nature.
Practical Essentials
Opening Hours: Typically Tuesday–Sunday,
10:00–16:00 (closed Mondays). Hours can vary seasonally or during
holidays—always check the official site. Winter openings are more
limited.
Tickets: Adults 150 DKK (about €20 / $22), online purchase
135 DKK (10% discount + skip the queue). Children 0–17 free. Copenhagen
Card holders get free entry. Tickets valid for one year from purchase.
Annual passes are available for frequent visitors.
Location & Getting
There:
Main entrance: Kongevejen 100, 2800 Kongens Lyngby.
North
entrance (Brede): Open weekends/school holidays; convenient for some
arrivals.
Public transport from Copenhagen: S-train (Line A or E) to
Sorgenfri station (≈25–30 min from central Copenhagen), then 10–15 min
walk. Buses 184/194 stop at the main entrance. A secondary option is the
Jægersborg-Nærum train to Brede.
Parking is available but can fill up
on busy days.
From central Copenhagen, plan 40–60 minutes
door-to-door.
What to Expect & Highlights
The site is large
and park-like with gravel paths, some hills, and open areas. You can
easily spend 4–6+ hours here (or a full day). Buildings are grouped by
region and era, showing differences in social classes, architecture, and
daily life.
Key features:
Buildings & Interiors: Step inside
many furnished farmhouses, cottages, mills, and manors. Expect low
ceilings, authentic details, and period furniture.
Animals: Horses,
sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, etc. Petting is often allowed
(season/weather dependent).
Demonstrations & Activities: Baking,
crafts, milling, beekeeping, and more. Look for the "Frøsnapperbyen"
(Freddy Frogface village) area popular with kids.
Nature &
Atmosphere: Gardens, fields, and peaceful rural setting—great for
picnics or just wandering.
It is family-friendly but also
appealing to adults interested in history, architecture, or photography.
In-Depth Visiting Tips
Best Time to Visit:
Peak Season
(May–September, especially summer): Lush gardens, more animals outdoors,
frequent demonstrations, and longer effective daylight. Weekends and
Danish school holidays are busiest.
Shoulder Seasons (April,
October): Fewer crowds, beautiful changing foliage or spring blooms, but
check for reduced activities.
Avoid Mondays (closed). Arrive at
opening (10 AM) for quieter exploration and better parking.
What
to Wear & Bring:
Comfortable walking shoes — essential for gravel
paths, hills, and potentially muddy/wet areas after rain.
Layers &
Weather Protection: Danish weather is changeable. Bring a waterproof
jacket, even in summer. Comfortable layers work best.
Picnic supplies
— allowed and encouraged. There are nice dining spots.
Sunscreen,
hat, water bottle (refill possible).
Small daypack or use free
lockers at the shop for extra items.
Navigation & Strategy:
Pick up a free map at the entrance (also available online). There are
suggested routes.
Start at the main entrance and work in a loop or
follow regional groupings.
Rent a trolley/stroller (30 DKK, limited
supply; 20% off with annual pass) for kids or carrying items—very useful
on the large site.
Prioritize highlights early if time is limited
(e.g., windmill, larger farms, interactive areas).
North entrance can
be a good exit point for a different route or combining with Brede area
walks.
Enhance Your Experience:
Join a guided tour for deeper
stories (check schedule on site).
Talk to volunteers and interpreters
— they often demonstrate skills and share insights.
Visit during
special events (Christmas markets, harvest festivals, etc.) for extra
atmosphere.
Combine with nearby attractions: Brede Værk (industrial
heritage), or even Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (though not in one
rushed day).
Food & Facilities:
On-site: Landkiosken and
Bagehuset offer snacks, baked goods, and meals. Options are decent but
not extensive.
Picnic: Highly recommended—many scenic spots.
Toilets are available; changing tables in restrooms. Ask at the shop.
Shop sells souvenirs, books, and local products.
Accessibility:
Gravel paths (stable but uneven); some hills make it challenging for
wheelchairs.
Limited building access (a few have partial ramps).
Free wheelchair loan (book ahead). Disabled parking available.
Strollers welcome outside but not inside narrow buildings/gardens.
Other Tips:
Dogs: Allowed on leash (not inside buildings; service
dogs excepted).
Bikes: Not permitted inside (balance bikes for kids
ok).
Photography: Great for photos—respect any rules about interiors.
Crowds: Can feel busy in peak summer, but the size means you can find
quiet corners.
Download any museum app or check the website for
current demonstrations before going.
It’s cashless-friendly, but have
a card ready.