Børglum Kloster

About the museum

In the Viking Age, a royal estate stood on the hill of Børglum, where King Canute the Holy stayed in 1086 when the people of Vendsyssel rose up against him. Around 1060 a bishop's seat was established here, and around 1140 Premonstratensian canons settled. Børglum became the order's main monastery in the north, with trade connections as far as England and Scotland; until the Reformation the monastery church served as the cathedral of the Diocese of Vendsyssel.

After the Reformation in 1536, the monastery passed to the Crown and later into noble ownership. Between 1750 and 1755 the architect Laurids de Thurah gave the complex its present Baroque appearance; the outer walls, however, still largely date from the monastery period. Since 1835 Børglum has belonged to the Rottbøll family, who run and live on the estate today in the sixth generation. A memorial at the church and the mill with crossed sails commemorate the resistance fighter Christian Michael Rottbøll, who was killed in 1942.

The family opens part of the buildings to visitors seasonally. On display are over 15 exhibitions on history, art, and culture, including a complete embroidered copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, and exhibitions on monastery history, fashion, and an old manor kitchen. During the Christmas markets, the private living quarters are also open to visitors.

Highlights

• Complete embroidered copy of the roughly 70 m long Bayeux Tapestry
• Old cathedral and monastery church with Rococo furnishings
• Herb garden with QR videos on medieval medicinal plants
• Clothing exhibition "Kunsten at klæde sig" on 20th-century fashion
• Sets from the TV Christmas series "Ludvig og Julemanden"
• Christmas markets with access to the private rooms

Permanent exhibitions

• Bayeux-tapetet – A complete copy of the roughly 70 m long tapestry depicting the Norman conquest of England in 1066, made by nine embroiderers over 14 years.
• Nordens Portal til det Katolske Europa – Exhibition on medieval Børglum as the main monastery of the Premonstratensians in the north and its connections to Catholic Europe.
• Kunsten at klæde sig – Clothing exhibition on women's fashion in the 20th century against the backdrop of two world wars and the changing role of women.

Founded

1101

Operated by

Familie Rottbøll (privat)

Admission & discounts

Tickets at the monastery shop or online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Four accessible parking spaces at the entrance. Walking the grounds and exhibition rooms is at your own risk. Dogs on a leash are allowed, but not in the monastery church.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

For children, especially the Christmas workshop and Santa's room from the TV series "Ludvig og Julemanden." Children up to 13 years get in free.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Vognporten in the renovated horse stable with coffee, cake, lunch dishes, and brunch (order brunch the day before); access only with an admission ticket or annual pass, opening hours same as the monastery. Food brought from outside may be eaten in the Munkestuen. Monastery shop and Christmas decoration shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings by individual arrangement via the café (Cafe@boerglumkloster.dk, +45 91 89 18 55). Wedding photos (max. 5 people) outdoors DKK 1,000, in the old cathedral church DKK 1,500, in the Sommerstue DKK 2,500, in the Königssaal (King's Hall) DKK 5,000.

Plan your visit