14. - 17. & 23. - 25. maj

Coal reaming

Charcoal burning is the art of turning wood into coal over a fire - a centuries-old tradition from the forests of North Zealand

Combine coal mining with a visit to our exhibition at Esrum Monastery

Tickets can be purchased in the monastery shop upon arrival

May 14 - 17 (Ascension)
& May 23 - 25 (Pentecost)

11:00 - 12:00
13:30 - 14:30
14:30 - 15:30

Adults: 110 Kr.

Children under 18 years: Free

Become a coal miner for a day

Sit around the fire, feel the warmth of the embers and watch as wood slowly turns into coal.

In short, charcoal making is the art of turning wood into charcoal – an ancient craft from the forests of North Zealand that we bring to life at Esrum Kloster & Møllegård during the Ascension and Pentecost holidays. It’s an activity for the whole family.

As a guest, you are part of the process. In a coal bucket, we follow the transformation of the wood over the embers while telling stories about life in the forest and the so-called “black men” who guarded the miles. While we wait for the wood to turn into coal, there is time to carve a small pencil, warm up with a cup of tea and just be present together around the fire.

After about half an hour, the charcoal is ready – and you get your very own charcoal to take home as a memento of a special experience.

We start the coal mining several times during the day, so you can easily adapt the visit to your own rhythm – just show up before the start (see times below) – and we meet in Klostergården.

Program:

  • 10:30 – Children’s tour of Esrum Monastery
  • 11:00-12:00 – Bullet widening
  • 13:00 – Adult tour of Esrum Monastery
  • 13:30-14:30 – Bullet widening
  • 14:30-15:30 – Bullet widening

A historic craft in North Zealand

In the forests around Esrum Monastery, charcoal burning has left its mark for centuries. Here the charcoal burners – the so-called “black men” – guarded the smoking miles day and night while wood was slowly transformed into charcoal without oxygen.

Charcoal was an indispensable resource because it could create the high temperatures needed to melt metal and extract iron. As early as 1535, Esrum Abbey was ordered to supply large quantities of charcoal to the king’s castles and smithies, and the work was passed on to local farmers and householders who knew the craft.

For many, coal mining became an important part of life and a necessary source of income – and in the forests of North Zealand, the tradition lived on into the 1800s and in some places even longer.

Get more out of your day

Extend your visit with tours, lunch and our exhibition:

At 10:30, the youngest visitors can join a children’s tour where the history of the monastery comes to life. Later in the day at 13:00, we invite adults to join a guided tour that unfolds the great story of Esrum Monastery.

During the day, you can explore our exhibition inside the monastery together, where the history of the place and life here through time is clearly visible. Stop by the monastery shop, enjoy something delicious in the Mill Café or let the kids play in the nature playground – there’s plenty of time and space to do it all at your own pace.

Read about the exhibitions

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Easter Holiday
March 28thMarch 28th – April 6th

Easter Holiday

On our spring walks, Under the Trees, we follow a route through the landscape surrounding Esrum Monastery & Møllegård – a sensory nature experience for both children and adults. Combine the walk with creative activities inside the monastery.
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Pilgrimage
August 31th

Pilgrimage

Join a guided pilgrimage in the landscape around the monastery, Esrum Lake and Gribskov Forest.
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Ascension and Pentecost: Coal carving
May 14th- 17th & 23rd - 25th

Ascension and Pentecost: Coal carving

Become a charcoal artist for a day during the Ascension and Pentecost holidays, where you turn wood into charcoal over a campfire and get a cozy, historical experience to take home
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