Fugledegaard – Tissø Vikingecenter

About the museum

Fugledegaard lies on the western shore of Tissø in the nature park Åmosen, which in 2014 was designated Denmark's first nature park. Today the farm serves as a visitor and outreach center for the nature and cultural history of the area; it is run by Kalundborg Kommune together with a large circle of volunteers.

The site is considered one of the most important find sites of the late Iron Age and Viking Age in Northern Europe. Excavations by the Nationalmuseet and Kalundborg Museum, mainly between 1995 and 2003, uncovered a large manor complex from the period of about 550 to 1050 – with mighty halls, workshops, a marketplace, and its own cult house. With over 16,000 metal-detector finds, the area is among the most productive find sites in the country. As early as 1977, the Tissø Ring had been discovered here while plowing, a neck ring of pure gold weighing about two kilograms.

The exhibition in the main building tells, with sound, light, images, and films, of the beliefs, rituals, and everyday life of the people at the lake. Right at the entrance stands a reconstruction of the Tissø Ring; a viewing room with tiered seating opens the view onto the fields where the royal estate lay. In the hall, stuffed birds, finds to touch, and changing art exhibitions can be seen, and there is also a small research library. Outside, a bird tower, observation hide, nature trails, a Viking-themed playground, and shelters invite visitors to linger.

Highlights

• Reconstruction of the Tissø Ring, the largest single gold find of the Danish Viking Age
• Interactive exhibition on beliefs, rituals, and everyday life at the royal estate of Tissø
• Viewing room overlooking the site of the Viking Age royal estate
• Stuffed birds and finds to touch in the hall
• Bird tower and observation hide at Tissø, often with white-tailed eagles

Permanent exhibitions

• Vikingerne ved Tissø – Multimedia exhibition on beliefs, rituals, and everyday life at the Viking Age royal estate of Tissø, with a reconstruction of the golden Tissø Ring and a viewing room over the excavation site.
• Fund og fugle – In the hall, stuffed birds from around the lake and archaeological finds can be seen, which visitors may pick up themselves.

Operated by

Kalundborg Kommune

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the exhibition free. Overnight stay in the shelter DKK 50 per person per night (maximum two nights), firewood DKK 100, fire pit during the day DKK 200.

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

Accessible parking spaces directly at the center. The path and bridge to the bird observation hide as well as the shelter site at the parking lot are wheelchair-accessible; tours mostly run on paths suitable for wheelchairs and walkers, and there is seating indoors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Interactive screens with read-aloud function and animations, a creative table with wooden toys and painting supplies, a sandbox for playing archaeology, as well as Viking clothing and chain mail to try on. In the shop there is a Freja treasure hunt across the grounds, outside a Viking-themed playground; family events take place throughout the year.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Small café in the shop with organic coffee, ice cream, and cold drinks; no food, outside food is welcome in the covered picnic house and on the grounds. The shop sells regional products, mead, museum jewelry, crafts, toys, and books; in the black house there is also the small shop "Butik Tissø".

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 40 guests.

Meeting room with projector and whiteboard for up to 40 people including free access to the exhibition (half day DKK 1,800, full day DKK 2,800); kitchen by arrangement, combination with tours, shelter, and fire pit possible. Booking via fugledegaard@kalundborg.dk.

Plan your visit