Danmarks Borgcenter

About the museum

Danmarks Borgcenter lies in the middle of the ruins of Vordingborg Slot, the largest royal castle complex of medieval Denmark. The Valdemar kings ruled here, from Valdemar the Great to Valdemar Atterdag. Nine mighty towers once rose above the ring wall; only the 36-meter-high Gåsetårnet survives, regarded as the best-preserved medieval tower in the Nordic countries. It owes its name to the golden goose on its top, with which Valdemar Atterdag is said to have mocked the Hanseatic cities in 1367; the current goose, almost one meter tall, dates from 1871.

The center took the place of the Sydsjællands Museum, which had existed since 1915, and was officially opened in April 2014. The entrance and café are in old buildings on the castle square, including the yellow garrison building, the last remnant of Prince Jørgen's 17th-century palace. The actual exhibition is in a new building by the architects Lundgaard & Tranberg, largely sunk into the terrain and clad in rust-red Corten steel.

Inside, finds, jewelry, weapons, and light projections on raw concrete walls tell of kings and queens, church and war; murals by the Norwegian street artist Pøbel set accents. A digital audio guide on your own smartphone leads through the exhibition and the ruins, and outdoor exhibition containers are devoted to archaeology at the castle. The museum belongs to Museum Sydøstdanmark.

Highlights

• Gåsetårnet: 36-meter-high castle tower with a golden goose and views over Vordingborg
• Ruins of Vordingborg Slot with ring wall and remains of St. Andrew's Church
• Exhibition "Magt" about kings, queens, and power politics in the Middle Ages
• Partly underground exhibition building by Lundgaard & Tranberg with light projections
• Archaeology exhibition in containers on the castle grounds
• Børnenes Borgcenter with painting, stilts, and dress-up for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Magt – Exhibition in the main building about power in the Middle Ages – kings and queens, church, weapons, and jewelry, staged with light projections.
• Arkæologiens historie – Outdoor exhibition containers show how archaeologists work and what small finds such as shards, as well as royal treasures, reveal about life at the castle.
• Slotsruinen – Tour of the ruins of Vordingborg Slot with the Gåsetårnet, ring wall, and the remains of St. Andrew's Church, accompanied by the audio guide.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Museum Sydøstdanmark

Visitors per year

approx. 113,975 (2017)

Admission & discounts

The climb up the Gåsetårnet is included in admission. DKK 130 for holders of cards from Ældre Sagen, Dansk Camping Union, and Politiken Plus, and for members of Museumsforeningen Sydsjælland og Møn. Annual pass holders free. Payment by cash or common cards.

Accessibility

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

The exhibition building, shop, and café are wheelchair-accessible, and an elevator connects the two exhibition levels. The Gåsetårnet has no elevator and is not accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The castle ruins have gravel paths; the approach from Havnevej is difficult, so the entrance at Slotstorvet is recommended. Accessible parking spaces on Færgegårdsvej near Slotstorvet. Pets are not allowed in the exhibition and tower, but guide dogs are.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Treasure hunt about the kings and queens of the Middle Ages. In Børnenes Borgcenter, a colorful container, children can paint, draw, and decorate a wall; outside there are stilts, costumes, and building games. Medieval plants grow in the historical herb garden (Historisk Botanisk Have). Strollers can use the elevator through the exhibition building but cannot go into the tower; baby changing area by the restrooms at the entrance.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Café in the listed yellow garrison building: in spring and autumn coffee, cake, and cold drinks from the ticket sales desk, in high season with small dishes served at the table; no table reservations. Outside food only outdoors. Museum shop with games, books, comics, and toys. Lockable lockers with a DKK 10 deposit.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit