About Gammel Estrup

The Danish Manor & Estate Museum

Gammel Estrup – The Danish Manor & Estate Museum has existed since 1930 and works with both the preservation and development of the manor Gammel Estrup and with research into and dissemination of the history of Danish manors in general.

The museum addresses all aspects of the manor landscape, including architecture and landscape, culture and history, agriculture, and the economy, in both a national and an international perspective.

The museum creates diverse and relevant experiences with room for personal encounters. The permanent exhibition provides a unique insight into life among masters and servants over 400 years, and throughout the year the museum offers a range of special exhibitions and activities.

Gammel Estrup conducts research at a high professional level, and the museum therefore houses the Danish Center for Manor Research, which is a national and international focal point for manor research.

Gammel Estrup collects, registers and preserves objects, images and materials that relate to Danish manor history and culture – for the benefit of the future.

About the Museum

Gammel Estrup’s mission is to preserve, research, and communicate the history of Danish manor houses, making this cultural heritage accessible to all through research-based knowledge, engaging interpretation, and inclusive experiences.

Gammel Estrup’s vision is to strengthen the museum’s role as Denmark’s national centre for manor house research and communication with an international outlook, with a particular focus on manor house employees, the landscape, and educational programs for children and young people.

Read our full Mission & Vision

The museum collects, documents, and preserves objects, buildings, and cultural environments related to Danish manor houses and manor house life throughout the ages.

Read more about our Collection

Gammel Estrup’s research is carried out by the Danish Research Centre for Manorial Studies. The Centre is a national and international hub for manor house history.

It generates new knowledge that supports the museum’s communication and shares research findings through publications, events, and digital platforms.

Read more about our Research

The Danish Castle & Manor Forum is a nationwide network for researchers and communicators with a professional interest in Danish castles and manor houses.

The network promotes knowledge sharing, professional sparring and collaboration across disciplines and is coordinated by Gammel Estrup – The Danish Manor & Estate Museum and the Danish Research Centre for Manorial Studies.

Read more about the Danish Castle & Manor Forum

Gammel Estrup – The Danish Manor & Estate Museum is a self-governing institution with a board of directors consisting of nine members.

View the full Board

Gammel Estrup is committed to sustainable development, with a focus on climate and environment, social responsibility, and ethical business practices, ensuring that the manor house’s cultural heritage is preserved and remains relevant for the future.

Read more about our Sustainability Policy

Gammel Estrup’s work is supported by a wide range of foundations, sponsors, and project partners, who contribute to the museum’s research, communication, preservation, and development.

View current foundations, sponsors, and project partners

The History of Gammel Estrup

 

The Beginning

Gammel Estrup in the Middle Ages
The Renaissance Manor

Eske Brock  – one of the most powerful men in the kingdom
The Wealthy Skeel

One of the nation’s largest estates
The Wild Count

The infamous financial scandal
The Sale of Gammel Estrup

The last count and the founding of the museum

View the full line of owners