Roskilde Museum

About the museum

Since 1929, Roskilde Museum has been the city museum of one of Denmark's oldest and most important towns. It tells the history of Roskilde and its surroundings from prehistoric times to the present; the exhibition texts are in Danish and English.

The museum lies on the historic Kulturstrøg in the middle of the city and uses two listed buildings. The Sukkerhuset was built in 1761 for a sugar refinery, which produced there only until 1779; from 1925 to 1984 it served as the city's fire station before becoming a museum. The merchant's house Liebes Gård was built around 1800 for the merchant Jacob Borch and is named after the Liebe family, who lived here until 1900. When Roskilde became a garrison town, a soldiers' home was set up in it, which looked after the soldiers of the Tunestilling during the First World War.

On display are mainly finds from excavations in and around Roskilde, including the complete skeleton of an aurochs, the mysterious Gerdrup grave, medieval silver coins, chess pieces, and weapons. The permanent exhibition "Roskilde mellem håb og frygt" is devoted to life in the city during the two world wars and the Cold War.

Today the museum belongs to ROMU, the museum association for Roskilde, Lejre, and Frederikssund, which is also active in archaeology in the region. The museum includes a shop and the restaurant Romus.

Highlights

• Complete skeleton of an aurochs
• The mysterious Gerdrup grave
• Medieval silver coins, chess pieces, and weapons from Roskilde
• Permanent exhibition "Roskilde mellem håb og frygt" on the wars of the 20th century
• Historic buildings Sukkerhuset (1761) and Liebes Gård (around 1800)

Permanent exhibitions

• Roskilde mellem håb og frygt – Three rooms use photos and objects to show how the First World War, the occupation, and the Cold War shaped life in Roskilde, from the Tunestilling to peace demonstrations.

Founded

1929

Operated by

ROMU (Museen in Roskilde, Lejre und Frederikssund)

Director

Morten Thomsen Højsgaard (Direktor ROMU)

Admission & discounts

Copenhagen Card accepted. Café and shop are accessible without admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Elevator in the museum, wheelchairs available to borrow. Induction loop in the lecture hall. Accessible restrooms with baby changing table.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Children always have free admission. The exhibitions are partly interactive, with old toys, skeletons, and coins. The dining room has painting tables, and there are family activities during the holidays. Song program "Syng historien" with the museum musician about individual objects. Strollers can be left in front of the museum or in the courtyard.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the city center on the Kulturstrøg, entrance at Sankt Ols Stræde 3.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Lunch restaurant Romus (since 2015, designed by Roskilde artist Peter Brandes), also open without museum admission. Museum shop with jewelry based on historical models, books, and toys. Outside food allowed in the museum courtyard and in the dining room. Pets other than assistance dogs not allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 200 guests.

The restaurant Romus caters for parties of up to 200 guests, on-site and off-site.

Plan your visit