Øm Kloster Museum

About the museum

In the spring of 1172, Cistercian monks from Vitskøl, after several years of wandering, settled on an isthmus between Mossø and Gudensø and founded Øm Abbey, called Cara Insula in Latin. They secured their water supply with canals between the lakes. The monastery existed for almost 400 years; after 1560, King Frederik II had the buildings demolished and the stones used for the conversion of Skanderborg Slot.

The Nationalmuseet carried out the first excavations in 1896, and between 1910 and 1941 the church, parts of the monastery wings, and the cemeteries were uncovered. Aarhus University and Skanderborg Museum later continued the investigations, most recently in 2006. Today the complete ground plan of the complex is visible – the most complete of any Danish Cistercian monastery.

The museum goes back to the Historical Society for the Diocese of Aarhus, which began acquiring the properties on the monastery grounds in 1911. The museum opened in 1924, and a monastery garden was added in 1926. In 1988 it became an independent institution, and since 2007 it has been a department of Museum Skanderborg.

On view are a ruin park of about two hectares with five visible graves from the monastery period, the exhibition "Bed og Arbejd" about the lives of the monks with finds and skeletons from the excavations, as well as a herb garden and a brewing garden.

Highlights

• Complete ground plan of a Danish Cistercian monastery
• Five visible medieval graves, including that of Bishop Peder Elafsen
• Exhibition "Bed og Arbejd" with skeletons and everyday finds
• Monastery garden with 80 historical useful plants and a brewing garden
• Free audio guide in Danish, English, and German

Permanent exhibitions

• Bed og Arbejd – Monks' daily life illustrated by finds such as book clasps, sewing needles, and a toilet seat, plus a collection on the history of medicine with skeletons showing diseases and injuries.
• Ruinkomplekset – Excavated foundations of the entire monastery complex with five covered medieval graves in the church and chapter house.
• Klosterhave og bryghave – Recreated medicinal and herb garden with 80 plant species in 63 beds, plus a garden of plants used for beer brewing such as hops and bog myrtle.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Museum Skanderborg

Admission & discounts

Free admission for members of the museum associations of Museum Skanderborg (including Øm Klosters Venner and Skanderborg Museumsforening), with an ICOM museum card, for school classes with a teacher during lessons, and for kindergarten groups with supervision.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Dogs on a leash are allowed in the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For families there is a detective backpack to borrow with tasks indoors and outdoors; anyone who finds all the solutions receives a detective badge. Intended for children ages 7 to 14, with younger ones accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books, monastery beer, and other items.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit