Museum Silkeborg
Cultural-history museum in Silkeborg Hovedgård, known for the bog bodies Tollund Man and Elling Woman as well as the history of the town and castle of Silkeborg.
About the museum
The museum first opened to visitors in 1904 and moved in 1951 into Silkeborg Hovedgård, the oldest building in the town. The manor was built in 1767 partly from building material of the dilapidated Silkeborg Castle, whose history goes back to the 14th century and which served as a quarry after the wars with Sweden.
The museum became world famous through Tollund Man: the roughly 2,300-year-old bog body from the early Iron Age was found in 1950 in a bog near Silkeborg and, with its exceptionally well-preserved face, has become a symbol of Danish prehistory. The museum also shows Elling Woman, of about the same age. The archaeological collection extends from the Stone Age to the Viking Age.
In 2009 Silkeborg Museum and the Blicheregnens Museum in Thorning merged to form Museum Silkeborg, and in 2012 the Papirmuseet in the former paper mill was added. The state-recognized museum is responsible for the cultural history of the entire municipality of Silkeborg.
In Hovedgården, further exhibitions tell of Silkeborg Castle, of Renaissance glassmaking, of the pottery tradition in Sorring – where Asger Jorn also worked in 1953 – and of the origin of the town around the paper mill founded in 1844. The museum also includes a workers' apartment from around 1910 in the last surviving outbuildings of the manor.
Highlights
- Tollund Man, one of the best-preserved bog bodies in the world
- Elling Woman from the early Iron Age
- History of Silkeborg Castle
- Renaissance glass from the region's glassworks
- Pottery from Sorring
- Furnished workers' apartment around 1910
Permanent exhibitions
- Udstilling om Tollundmanden – The story of the discovery and the state of research on Tollund Man, who was found in the bog in 1950.
- Silkeborg Slot – The rise and decline of the castle, which existed under bishops and kings before the town came into being.
- Arbejderliv i Silkeborg – A furnished workers' apartment in the last side wing of the manor shows the everyday life of paper-mill workers.
- Founded
- 1904
- Director
- Ole Nielsen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 100 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and teens under 18 have free admission. |
| Groups (10+ people) | DKK 85 per personPrice per person from 10 people. |
Prices valid since January 1, 2026. Papirmuseet and Blicheregnen have their own admission prices.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking lot at the harbor, Åhavevej 1A (first hour free, then DKK 15 per hour); parking for up to 2 hours with a parking disc along Åhavevej; parking garage at the paper mill (access via Smedebakken, hourly rate).
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
Museum café with a garden courtyard: self-service with hot and cold drinks all year; during the summer, winter, fall and Easter holidays also sandwiches, snacks and homemade cake. Food brought from outside may be eaten in the museum garden or, when the café is closed, there. Museum shop in the style of an old general store with jewelry, glass, ceramics, toys and books.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours (Tollund Man, town history, Silkeborg Castle) for up to 25–30 people last 45–50 minutes and cost DKK 650 during opening hours, DKK 850 outside them; booking by email or phone. City tours (about 2 hours) from DKK 1,200, coffee gatherings in the workers' apartment on request (forhal@museumsilkeborg.dk). Educational programs for daycare centers and schools. |
