De Gamle Huse
Open-air museum on the edge of Maribo with thatched half-timbered houses from Lolland-Falster showing country life from the 17th to the early 20th century.
About the museum
The idea for the open-air museum came from Axel Holck, chairman of the Stiftsmuseum in Maribo. In 1923 he persuaded the sugar factory company De Danske Sukkerfabrikker to give up a site of about 4,000 square meters on the edge of town for the preservation of old houses of the region. In 1927 the museum opened under the name De Gamle Huse with seven buildings, including the forester's farm from Vantore, a village smithy, a malt kiln, and the post windmill from Fejø. It is considered the third-oldest open-air museum in Denmark.
In the following years more buildings were added: in 1931 a four-winged farmhouse from Nørre Ørslev on Falster, in 1937 a fire engine house, and in 1939 a village school from 1817, one of the schools built under the reformer C.D.F. Reventlow. A steam-powered plowing engine from 1872 had already been acquired in 1929. In 2003 a farmworker's house from the Ulriksdal estate followed as the most recent building to date, and between 2009 and 2011 the Fejø mill was restored and relocated.
In the interim the museum was called Frilandsmuseet i Maribo; since 2020 it has again carried its original name. It is now part of Museum Lolland-Falster and lies in the Maribosøerne nature park. Since 2019 an extension to the forester's farm has housed an information point of Naturlandet Lolland-Falster about the nature of the Maribo lakes.
With original furnishings and small scenes, the houses show how farmers, farmworkers, pastors, teachers, and the blacksmith lived and worked on the islands.
Highlights
- Thatched half-timbered and clay houses from Lolland-Falster, relocated between 1924 and 2003
- Old village school from 1817 with lessons in historical dress for classes
- Post windmill from Fejø and four-winged farmhouse from Nørre Ørslev
- Old village games and holiday activities for families
- Setting in the Maribosøerne nature park with a Naturlandet information point
- Founded
- 1927
- Operated by
- Museum Lolland-Falster
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 95 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people under 18 have free admission; under 15 only when accompanied by adults. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · The Danish companion card (ledsagekort) is accepted. |
| Groups | –Tours in Danish on weekdays 8:00–16:00 cost DKK 850 per hour or part thereof plus admission, in foreign languages DKK 1,050; evenings and weekends DKK 1,275 and DKK 1,500, respectively. Maximum 25 people per guide. Catering can be booked for groups of 10 or more. |
| Museum Lolland-Falster annual pass | DKK 245One year of free admission to all exhibition sites of Museum Lolland-Falster |
| Annual pass with companion | DKK 395 |
Online day ticket DKK 90 plus a DKK 5 fee, valid for one week from purchase; not for special events. School classes and daycare groups with their accompanying adults have free admission.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- 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 paths between the houses are surfaced with firm gravel and can be used with a wheelchair or walker, with grass in places. The houses themselves have steps or high thresholds as well as low, narrow doors. The shop, ticket desk, and toilets (including a spacious accessible toilet) in the forester's farm can be reached by a ramp. Five educational films about the houses can be watched on site on your own smartphone. Dogs on a leash welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children can try old village games or go on an elf hunt with the boy Kristian and the mouse Rasmus; the material is available at the ticket desk. During the holidays there are family activities with a historical theme, some for a materials fee. Birthday parties with a tour on request.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Maribo Station · 20-min walk
Train to Maribo Station (hourly from København H with a change in Nykøbing Falster, travel time about 1 hr. 45 min.), then about a 20-minute walk on a signposted path along the Maribo lakes.
By car
Free parking
Own free parking lot at the museum entrance; tour buses can park at the museum.
The museum is on National Cycle Route 8 (Østersøruten) and on the cycle route I havørnenes land around the Maribo lakes; e-bikes can be charged at the museum.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
Museum shop with ticket desk in the forester's farm (Skovridergården), where ice cream, drinks, coffee, and sweets are available. Picnic tables on the grounds; bringing your own food is allowed. Charging station for e-bikes.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours for families, groups, companies, and seniors (at an adapted pace with rest breaks) on request via bestilling@museumlollandfalster.dk. Order catering for groups of 10 or more at least five days in advance. Some houses offer additional listening stations. |
