Dansk Jødisk Museum

About the museum

The idea for a Jewish museum in København arose from several exhibitions shown in 1984 for the 300th anniversary of the Jewish community (Det Mosaiske Troessamfund). Dedicated private individuals, many of them from the Society for Danish-Jewish History, founded a foundation in 1985 that still runs the museum today as an independent institution.

On June 8, 2004, Queen Margrethe II opened the museum. It is located in the Galejhuset, a building from Christian IV's naval harbor complex from the early 17th century, later incorporated into the Royal Library. Daniel Libeskind, architect of the Jewish Museum Berlin, designed the interior: the floor plan and paths follow the Hebrew letters of the word Mitzvah, which recalls the rescue of most Danish Jews in October 1943. Sloping floors and walls and light wood paneling shape the spatial experience.

Since 2011 the museum has been state-recognized; at that time a significant donation from the Jewish community also passed into its possession. After a lengthy closure during the Covid pandemic, it reopened in 2022 with a new entrance, also designed by Libeskind, and new exhibitions – in the same year that 400 years of Jewish life in Denmark were celebrated. The permanent exhibition "Porten til Danmark" is the first building block of a future new core exhibition.

Highlights

• Interior architecture by Daniel Libeskind based on the Mitzvah concept with sloping floors and walls
• Vaults of the Galejhuset from the time of Christian IV
• Permanent exhibition "Porten til Danmark" on Jewish life in the 18th century
• Exhibition on flight and persecution, including the rescue in October 1943
• Short introductions on weekends in Danish and English

Permanent exhibitions

• Porten til Danmark – The permanent exhibition, opened in 2022, shows how Jewish life and culture established themselves in 18th-century Denmark – from synagogues and cemeteries to the debate over civil rights. It is seen as a foretaste of the future core exhibition.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Stiftung Dansk Jødisk Museum

Director

Janus Møller Jensen

Admission & discounts

Free admission with Copenhagen Card, K7 PLUS (ages 18–27), Kulturpas and for members of Selskabet for Dansk Jødisk Historie (including a companion). School classes with a teacher free. Buying online in advance recommended.

Accessibility

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

The Libeskind architecture with sloping floors (4–5% gradient) as well as slanted walls and doorways can be difficult for wheelchair users, people with walking disabilities and people with visual impairments; blind and visually impaired guests are advised to bring a sighted companion. Well-equipped accessible restroom. Dogs are not allowed, service dogs are. Details in the God Adgang fact sheet.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly

Smaller strollers may be taken into the exhibition; larger strollers can be left in the museum shop because of the sloping floors.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the garden of the Royal Library (Bibliotekshaven) next to the old main entrance of the library. From Christiansborg, walk through the garden, whose entrance is opposite the main staircase of the Folketing.

Amenities & dining

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

Small museum shop with books, which also sells coffee, water and sweets. Bags larger than 20 × 13.5 cm must go in the lockers in the entrance area. Drinks only with a lid, no ice in the exhibition.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit