Moesgaard Museum, Aarhus (must see)

Moesgaard Museum (MOMU), located in Beder, a suburb of Aarhus, is a prominent regional museum focusing on archaeology and ethnography. It collaborates closely with Aarhus University's Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology, Medieval and Renaissance Archaeology, and Anthropology. MOMU's extensive archaeological collection primarily comprises Danish artifacts, complemented by an ethnographical collection of nearly 50,000 items from across the globe. These collections include not only physical artifacts but also photographic material, films, and sound recordings, supporting both research and public exhibitions.

The museum is renowned for its unrivaled archaeological displays, including the Grauballe Man-the best-preserved bog body globally-and significant Iron Age artifacts from Illerup Ådal, which highlight ancient power struggles and warfare. The museum also houses seven local rune stones and periodically hosts temporary exhibitions showcasing various aspects of global cultural heritage.

A significant development in the museum's history was the inauguration of a new building in 2014, designed by Henning Larsen Architects. This building serves both as a public exhibition space and the headquarters for academic activities. Constructed around a large central staircase, it features upper levels dedicated to changing historical and cultural exhibits from around the world, while the lower levels focus on permanent exhibitions about Danish, Scandinavian, and European history and culture.

The permanent exhibitions at MOMU are celebrated for their interactive and multilingual displays, attracting diverse visitors with their scholarly depth. Spanning from the Stone Age to Medieval Denmark (1050-1536), the exhibits include notable artifacts like the Bronze Age "Borum Eshøj" model, Iron Age items from Illerup Ådal, replicas of the Golden horns of Gallehus, rune stones such as the Mask stone and Snaptun stone, and a reconstructed Danish stave church from Hørning, enriching both educational and cultural experiences.