Moesgaard

About the museum

The roots of Moesgaard go back to 1861, when the Historisk-antikvarisk Selskab was founded in Aarhus. Its collection was first housed in the old city hall next to the cathedral and in 1881 moved into a new museum building at Mølleparken, known today as Huset. In 1970 the museum relocated to the municipal manor Moesgård south of the city, where it works closely with Aarhus University; from 1997 it was called Moesgård Museum.

On October 10, 2014, the new building by Henning Larsen Architects was inaugurated. The roughly 16,000 m² building is set into a south-facing slope, and its sloping grass surface can be walked on freely and offers views over Aarhus Bay. The staggered levels allude to archaeological excavation layers. By 2017, new permanent exhibitions from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages had been created; since January 2025 the museum has operated solely under the name Moesgaard.

Among the best-known pieces are the Grauballe Man, one of the best-preserved bog bodies in the world, and the weapon sacrifices from Illerup Ådal. At the central staircase, visitors encounter life-size figures of early human species. Around the museum extends a cultural landscape of about 100 hectares with a manor, forest, and beach, through which the Oldtidssti leads, with reconstructions such as a stave church based on finds from Hørning. Every July, Moesgaard hosts a large Viking market.

Highlights

• Grauballe Man, one of the best-preserved bog bodies in the world
• Installation on the battle and the weapon sacrifices of Illerup Ådal
• Evolution staircase with life-size figures of early human species
• Walkable grass roof with views over Aarhus Bay
• Moesgaard Junior: research lab for children on two floors
• Cultural landscape with the Oldtidssti, reconstructed stave church, and Skovmøllen

Permanent exhibitions

• Jernalderen – Mosens ofre – Iron Age exhibition about sacrifices in bogs, featuring the Grauballe Man, a copy of the Gundestrup Cauldron, and a staging of the Battle of Illerup Ådal.
• Vikingetiden – Vikingernes eventyr – You follow a person from the Viking Age through old Aros and on voyages as far as Norway or Constantinople; the Gokstad boat can also be seen.
• Middelalderen – Fri os fra det onde – The Middle Ages between church, royal power, and peasant everyday life, with a video staging of the regicide at Finderup in 1286.

Founded

1970

Director

Mads Kähler Holst

Visitors per year

approx. 372,000 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Online tickets are DKK 10 cheaper. With a Molslinjen ticket (up to seven days old), 20% off for up to two people at the ticket desk. If you buy an annual pass on the day of your visit, the admission tickets for you and a companion are refunded.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All exhibition areas are reachable by elevators and lifts (cabin width 90 cm). Wheelchairs and walkers can be borrowed at the ticket desk, but not reserved. Accessible restrooms at all restroom facilities. Accessible parking spaces directly in front of the main entrance; people with walking difficulties can be driven along the path beside the building to the ramp at the entrance. Special tour "Fortid for alle" with tactile elements for people with dementia, autism, or PTSD and their relatives.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

Moesgaard Junior is a research lab on two floors with archaeological tasks, puzzles, and interactive games. In the exhibitions you can touch, listen, and join in, such as Stone Age archery. Outside, the Forglemmigej treasure hunt (2–3 hours, groups of 4–8 people, recommended from age 10) leads through the landscape. Holiday programs such as metal detector searches during the autumn school holidays. Strollers are possible, but the museum recommends borrowable buggies or carriers; strollers can be left in the coat check.

Getting there & parking

By car, turn from Oddervej into Moesgård Allé about 1 km south of the city limits. Buses and trucks must approach via Ny Moesgårdvej (via Oddervej/Emiliedalsvej). By bike about 9 km from Aarhus city center via Oddervej or through the Marselisborg forests.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Moesgaard Café with Nordic-inspired cuisine, children's meals, panoramic windows, and a roof terrace; Wednesdays 17:30–19:00 buffet (reservation possible). Free lockable lockers in the coat check in the basement; bags, food, and drinks are not allowed in the exhibitions. Separate room for meals you bring yourself next to the coat check. Dogs only on a leash in the outdoor grounds.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Meeting rooms from small meeting rooms to conference halls, some hybrid-capable, with catering from the in-house kitchen; corporate events and team building (the Forglemmigej treasure hunt) on request.

Plan your visit