The Old Town, Aarhus

Den Gamle By ( Danmarks Købstadmuseum ) is an open air museum in Aarhus, Denmark. Unlike most open-air museums, it has not rural, but the urban culture and history of the subject. As such, it is the oldest of its kind

Origin

The museum was founded in 1909 and in 1914 opened when the gamle Borgmestergård was built west of the city. This old merchant had recently dropped the pickaxe in the rapidly growing city of Aarhus victim, but could the impressive half-timbered ensemble will be saved in this way. This marked the start was given to rescue historic buildings from all over Denmark, which had to give way to its original location a " demolition and reconstruction ". The idea to preserve old buildings in that they degrade and build up again elsewhere, was still unusual. At best, historically important buildings were obtained on the spot.

City within a city

The museum was built in the shape of a medieval small town along the floodplain. Through this concept, the visitor has the impression that he really was in an old city. This illusion is now disturbed by a 1999/2000 built in the immediate vicinity of high-rise office, especially since this rises exactly in alignment along the floodplain. The focal point of the town square where a few years ago the Old Mint ( Møntmestergården ) from Copenhagen ( 17th century ) was rebuilt. This building originally stood there in the Borgergade, was dismantled for renovation work in 1940 and stored for over 50 years. Between 1998 and 2000, the only surviving Copenhagen timbered house was rebuilt. Today there are no less than 75 historic buildings from the 17th to the 19th century (along with certain important small buildings of the 20th century ) in Den Gamle By. These come from many towns in Denmark, with the rapidly growing cities in the 20th century Jutland Aarhus and Aalborg are most strongly represented.

Exhibitions

Many of the homes have special functions, and almost all are open. Not only historical residential culture is shown. There are also exhibitions on old clocks, costumes, textiles, silver wares, toys and pottery. Even old crafts and earlier economic forms are shown, for example, the brewing of beer. Even historical institutions were established, such as a post office of the 19th century in a merchant's house in Aabenraa.

A solid Christmas exhibition shows the evolution of Christmas from the Renaissance in the Mayor's 1625 to the festival in the interwar period in 1929.

Theatre and Film

In 1961, rebuilt Elsinore Theatre is used both in its original function as well as for seminars and lectures. In addition, the museum ( Research Center for Urban History ) works closely with the Center for Byhistorie the Department of History at the University of Aarhus together.

1977 was the museum village as a backdrop for the film adaptation of Astrid Lindgren's novel The Brothers Lionheart.