Experiences at the abbey
Come on in
The history of Esrum Abbey is complex. The building holds stories from all the lives that have called the abbey home. From monks to kings.
Life in the abbey
There is something fascinating about the life of a monk in the Middle Ages, and we ask ourselves: Who were these monks? Why did they choose to devote their entire lives to the abbey and their faith? And what does their devotion tell us about the lives of people today? Our light and sound installations whisk you back in time – to the everyday lives of the monks in the abbey. The huge wheel of time is constantly moving. The recurring shifts in colours from sunrise to sunset, and from light to dark, symbolise the endless repetitions of abbey life and the alternation between prayer and work. The sounds of the monks’ prayers and chants at different times of the day welcome you to the holy of holies. Follow the quiet whisper in the many languages that were once spoken in the abbey and hear personal stories, related by the monk, the abbot and the lay brother, all of who once lived here. The light and sound installations are situated on the ground floor.
Travel back in time with virtual reality
There was a time when Esrum Abbey was one of the largest abbeys in Denmark. Today, only a single building remains. That makes it difficult to visualise how large the abbey once was. But if you take a seat in one of the blue confessionals and put on a pair of virtual reality glasses, you can travel back to the Middle Ages and the golden age of Esrum Abbey. You will see what the abbey was like back then, as you take a walk through the abbey garden and enter the large church. Finally you will soar up through the ceiling of the church and fly high above the landscape, enjoying the best-ever view of Esrum Abbey. Pick up a pair of virtual reality glasses on the 1st floor.
Read more about them here.
The abbey cellar: Human footprints through 900 years
Discover the atmospheric monastery cellar where we talk about the many lives that have left their mark on the history and architecture of the abbey. Explore a house that holds 900 years of our Danish history.
In the abbey cellar you can get up close and personal with historical artifacts that people have left on the abbey grounds over time. The objects are small echoes of the many different daily lives that were lived behind the thick abbey walls.
A Reformation game
It’s the late Middle Ages. The Church is gradually losing its grip on power. Chaos reigns. The monk, Martin Luther has hung 95 theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg. The theses amount to a harsh criticism of the Church’s view of sin and salvation. Luther’s action marks the start of a battle between the rich and powerful noble families, the king and the Church, about what being a ‘real’ Christian in Denmark means. In the ‘Dilemma Game’, you are one of the powerful noble families. At the very centre of power and faith, you must determine the future of Denmark. You will be faced with dilemmas and have to make the choices you believe to be best – both for your family and for the country. The course of history is in your hands. It’s most fun to play the Dilemma Game with others, but you can also play it alone. Play the game on the 1st floor.
