Dansk Klokkemuseum

About the museum

Dansk Klokkemuseum was founded in 1991 by an association that wants to collect and preserve knowledge about bells as a vanishing part of Danish cultural history: ringing by hand has largely been automated, and bells in traffic and on farm animals have disappeared. Since 1996 the museum has been based in the Over Lerte Kirke, a building near Sommersted erected in 1892 as a chapel (Farris Bedehus) and consecrated as a church in 1932. In 1997/98 the building was converted so that it serves as both church and museum.

The collection comprises about 800 bells: old church bells, including examples of the earliest beehive shape from around 900, carillons with mechanical music mechanisms, ship and animal bells from many countries, as well as bells from the household and transport. The exhibition explains the development of the bell shape from the Middle Ages to the harmonic profile of the 17th century, folk belief in the protective power of ringing, and the fate of many bells that were melted down in wartime.

The museum explicitly sees itself as informal: most bells may be touched and struck. In an attached foundry building, the association itself casts small bronze bells, which are sold on site. In front of the church stand several historic bell frames and bell houses from different parts of the country.

Highlights

• Around 800 bells from around the world, most of them to touch and ring
• Early beehive-shaped church bells
• Carillons with working mechanical music mechanisms
• Own bell foundry with sale of small bronze bells
• Historic bell frames and bell house in front of the church

Permanent exhibitions

• Dansk Klokkemuseum – Sammlung – Around 800 bells, from medieval church bells and carillons to ship and animal bells; the exhibition explains the form, casting, and cultural significance of the bell.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Dansk Klokkemuseum (Verein)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Children under 15 accompanied by adults have free admission; almost all bells may be touched and made to ring.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Over Lerte Kirke at Farrisvej 12 near Sommersted, directly next to the Sønderjysk Skolemuseum.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Sale of self-cast bronze bells in three sizes and a poster edition. Dogs are welcome, though not all dogs like the sound of bells.

Events & venue rental

A large loan bell (25 cm high) can be rented.

Plan your visit