Together with Aarhus Municipality, the Moesgaard Museum is working on an ambitious plan for the establishment of a new viking-time museum, to be erected on Bispetorvet in Aarhus. Aarhus was one of the first and most important cities in Northern Europe during the Viking era. The city was central to the great currents of its time and a hub for global trade. But Aarhus’ deep history is hidden and untold. Therefore, together with Aarhus Municipality, we are seeking the possibility of creating a new world-class viking museum on Bispetorvet. “Aarhus houses a completely unique cultural heritage. As something quite unusual, the city has retained its original location from the 700s, and therefore you literally follow in the footsteps of the Vikings when you walk around the city center. We therefore hope, that in collaboration with Aarhus Municipality, we will have the opportunity to establish and operate a world-class Viking museum, so that we can unfold the amazing story that far too few know about,” says Mads Kähler Holst, director of the Moesgaard Museum.
It is up to Aarhus City Council to decide whether to continue working with the vision and start a preliminary project. A preliminary project will be able to start from 2024/2025 and, among other things, consist of preliminary archaeological surveys, citizen involvement, concept development and an architectural competition. The main project can potentially be launched in 2028 with archaeological excavations, construction of museum building and content development with a view to opening in 2032.
Read more about Aarhus‘ origins and interaction with the world in the Viking era as well as the visions of a new Viking museum in the heart of Aarhus on Moesgaard’s website
