National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen (must see)

The National Museum of Denmark, located in Copenhagen, is the largest museum dedicated to cultural history in the country. Situated near Strøget in the city center, the museum's main building showcases a diverse range of exhibits that span from Greenland to South America, emphasizing both Danish and international cultures.

A prominent feature of the museum is SILA - The Greenland Research Center, which focuses on archaeological and anthropological studies in Greenland. This initiative underlines the museum's commitment to advancing research and knowledge in these fields.

The National Museum has several core responsibilities, including archaeology, ethnology, numismatics, ethnography, natural science, and conservation. It also plays a key role in managing the national treasures known as Danefæ and oversees building antiquarian efforts related to Denmark's churches.

Covering 14,000 years of history, the museum presents a detailed narrative of Denmark's past from the Ice Age reindeer hunters to the Vikings, and further into the religiously influential Middle Ages. The numismatic collection includes Danish coins from the Viking era to modern times, as well as ancient Roman and Greek coins, showcasing a broad perspective on historical currencies.

Additionally, the museum boasts an extensive collection of ancient artifacts from Greece, Italy, the Near East, and Egypt, highlighted by items from the 1957 Danish excavation of Tell Shemshara in Iraq.

The museum also explores the identity and evolution of the Danish people through various exhibits that detail daily life, national events, and the broader societal changes in Denmark from 1560 to 2000. The Danish pre-history section, revamped and reopened in May 2008, offers insights into the country’s ancient past.

A notable event was the major Vikings exhibition, opened by Queen Margrethe II in 2013, which has also been featured internationally, including at the British Museum in London. This exhibition exemplifies the museum's dynamic approach to presenting historical narratives and engaging a global audience.

Tip:
After paying your entry fee, be sure to find out when a free one-hour tour of the museum's 'greatest hits' is available in your language.