Hvolris Jernalder

About the museum

In 1961 the amateur archaeologist Anders Olesen noticed an unusual number of pottery shards and flints on a hill near Vester Bjerregrav. He reported the find to the Viborg Museum, and excavations uncovered settlement remains from several periods, mainly from the Iron Age around the birth of Christ. In 1963 part of the site was acquired in order to make the excavation field and finds accessible to the public. Olesen was later employed at the museum, shaped the excavations and the building of the village, and became known nationwide as a storyteller; his little red house still commemorates him today.

What makes Hvolris special is that the archaeological sites lie directly next to the reconstructed village. Since 1962, finds ranging from the Single Grave culture of the Neolithic to the Middle Ages have come to light here, including house foundations, graves, and stone circles on the Skovbakken, from which there are wide views over the Skals Å valley. In the village stand three large longhouses in which you can get a sense of how people lived some 2,000 years ago; sheep, goats, and chickens help with landscape maintenance.

Since 2016 Hvolris has been part of the Viborg Museum. In the arrival building an exhibition shows grave goods such as pottery from the local excavations and examples of Iron Age clothing based on bog finds; replicas of the vessels are used for cooking in the village. During the summer and autumn holidays, families and volunteers bring the village to life with crafts and everyday life, and school classes come for day programs and overnight camp schools in the Iron Age.

Highlights

• Reconstructed Iron Age village with three large longhouses
• Excavation sites with stone circles and graves right next to the village
• Finds exhibition in the arrival building
• Living village with crafts and archery in the summer and autumn holidays
• Wide view over the Skals Å valley

Permanent exhibitions

• Den arkæologiske udstilling – Exhibition in the Tømmerladen of the arrival building with Iron Age finds from the Hvolris excavations, including grave pottery, and examples of Iron Age clothing.
• Jernalderlandsbyen – Reconstructed village from the time around the birth of Christ with three large longhouses, inhabited by families and volunteers during the holidays.
• Det arkæologiske område – Excavation site with stone circles and Iron Age graves on the Skovbakken, from which a wide view opens over the valley.

Operated by

Viborg Museum

Visitors per year

approx. 7,491 (2015)

Admission & discounts

Adults DKK 40 on regular opening days, DKK 70 with the living village (seniors DKK 60). 20% discount on presentation of an admission ticket from Verdenskortet, Daugbjerg Kalkgruber, or Nordisk Dyrepark – and vice versa.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The ticket desk, shop, exhibition, and accessible restroom are on the first floor of the arrival building. The village is about 400 m away; cars with a disabled parking permit may drive to the village after buying a ticket. The terrain is hilly with grass and gravel paths, the archaeological area is not suitable for wheelchairs, and the entrances of the Iron Age houses are authentic and only partially accessible. There are two regular restrooms in the village.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

In the summer holidays, families live in the village as Iron Age people, cook over the fire, and show their crafts; visitors can try their hand at archery. In the autumn holidays there is a treasure hunt for the whole family. Families can also book a holiday week as an Iron Age family in the village. Sheep, goats, and chickens live on the grounds.

Getting there & parking

About a 20-minute drive from Viborg.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum shop with historic jewelry, wooden toys, souvenirs, books, and delicacies such as Hvolris beer; ice cream and hot and cold drinks are also available there. Covered terrace where you may bring your own coffee and cake.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

Bright event hall for about 80 people with kitchen, café room, and some sleeping places, suitable for lectures, courses, company and family celebrations; 24 hours including a tour DKK 3,500, weekend DKK 5,000, cleaning DKK 900.

Plan your visit