Kalundborg Museum

About the museum

The Kalundborg Museum was founded in 1910 and shows the history of the town and its surroundings from prehistoric times through the Viking Age and the Middle Ages to the modern era. Since the merger at the turn of 2012/2013, it has been part of the state-recognized Museum Vestsjælland, which runs several sites in central and western Zealand.

The museum is housed in Lindegården, a former half-timbered noble estate in the upper town of Højby. Its oldest parts date from the late 16th century; the estate is considered one of the best-preserved town estates in Denmark from the Renaissance and later periods, and stands on remains of the medieval town wall of King Valdemar Atterdag.

The focus is on medieval Kalundborg, which the knight Esbern Snare founded and which at times served as a center of power of the kingdom – the royal archive and treasury were kept in the castle. A model shows the town in earlier times, and in the garden grows a cultural-botanical collection of old medicinal and useful plants that have survived in the town since the Middle Ages, along with a mulberry tree from around 1750. The museum is also the starting point for walks through Højby with the five-towered Vor Frue Kirke (Church of Our Lady).

Highlights

• Renaissance noble estate Lindegården on the medieval town wall
• Exhibition on Kalundborg as the forgotten capital of the Middle Ages
• Model of the medieval town
• Cultural-botanical garden with plants from the Middle Ages and a mulberry tree from around 1750
• Woven Crusader tapestry with twelve scenes on Esbern Snare and the Valdemars

Permanent exhibitions

• Danmarks glemte hovedstad – middelalderens Kalundborg – How Kalundborg became a center of power in the Middle Ages with a castle, royal archive, and five-towered church – from its founding by Esbern Snare to its time as the capital.
• Kalundborg Korsriddertapet – A 7.2-meter-long tapestry in twelve scenes on the crusades of the Valdemar era and the founding of the town, woven by members of a regional weavers' association.

Founded

1910

Operated by

Museum Vestsjælland

Admission & discounts

Tickets are available in the museum shop. Members of the local museum association free, members of other Museum Vestsjælland associations pay half price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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 exhibitions are on one level and are accessible for guests with limited mobility, but not suitable for wheelchair users. The museum courtyard is cobblestoned; from the parking lot it is easy to reach the garden. No accessible restroom. Certified service dogs with visible identification are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Free activity case for children aged 5 to 12 with games and puzzles about the exhibitions, available in the museum shop. During school holidays there are family activities.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the old town of Højby, Adelgade 23.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Small café area with coffee, tea, lemonade, ice cream, and sweets, in summer also in the museum courtyard. Food you bring with you may be eaten in the garden or courtyard. Museum shop with tin toys, regional delicacies such as mead and honey, books on local history, and gift items.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit