Ever wondered what it felt like to walk through a sugar refinery or a merchant’s house from centuries ago? Roskilde Museum offers you this unique chance. Welcome to Roskilde Museum. This isn’t just a museum. It is a portal that whisks you away into the vibrant history of Roskilde.
Since 1929, Roskilde Museum has stood as the city’s proud storyteller. It is narrating tales of one of Denmark’s oldest and most important cities. The museum resides in two remarkable buildings. These buildings are Sukkerhuset meaning The Sugar House and Liebes Gård meaning Liebe’s Grocery.
Let’s start with Sukkerhuset. Imagine Roskilde in 1761. Johan Jørgen Holst led a consortium to build this facility. It was designed to process raw sugar from the Danish West Indies. The sugar company even had its own ship named Roskilde Ark. This ship also known as the Sugar Ship brought raw sugar and coal to the factory. It then shipped processed sugar to ports on Zealand.
Interestingly, the company faced a restriction. It could not sell its sugar in Copenhagen and other towns that had their own refineries. Also, it could only sell sugar in portions of at least 20 pounds. By 1774, the factory had 7 to 10 employees. They processed 300 to 400 barrels of raw sugar each year. However, production declined and the factory closed in 1779. Later, Jacob Borch, a merchant, acquired the property. He used the sugar factory for storage.
Now, step next door to Liebes Gård. Built around 1800 by Jacob Borch, it replaced a modest house from the 17th century. The building got its name from the Liebe family. They owned the property for two generations. Fun fact: In 1913, Roskilde became a garrison town. After that, a soldier home opened in Liebes Gård.
In 1900, Liebe bequeathed the entire building complex to Roskilde Municipality. The Sugar House became a fire station in 1908. It served this purpose until 1989. Then, Roskilde Museum expanded and took over the Sugar House.
The Sugar House is a unique building of its kind in Denmark. Its architecture features yellow brick. Above the gate, you’ll spot a memorial plaque. Liebe’s House, on the other hand, boasts red brick and a half-hip roof.
Roskilde Museum also manages other fascinating sites. There is Lützhøfts Købmandsgård. It is a grocer’s shop that transports you back to the 1920s. The Museum of Tools displays a collection from craftsmen between 1850 and 1950. Tadre Watermill stands as one of the few operating watermills on Zealand. Finally, Roskilde Museum also runs the visitor centre at Roskilde Cathedral.
As you explore the Roskilde Museum, remember that you are walking through more than just buildings. You are experiencing the heart of Roskilde’s history. It is a history of trade, family, and community. Step inside and let the stories of Roskilde unfold before you.