Land of Legends Lejre

Sagnlandet Lejre, known in English as the Land of Legends, is an open-air archaeology museum on the island of Zealand, a few kilometres northwest of the town of Lejre and close to Gammel Lejre, which was a major political centre in Iron Age Scandinavia. Originally founded as a research institute for experimental archaeology, it long carried the name Historical-Archaeological Research Centre before adopting its present name. The museum lets visitors travel far back in time through reconstructed settlements and landscapes, from the Stone Age through the Iron Age to the Viking Age, all set in open countryside. Rather than looking at objects behind glass, guests take part: you can try archery, paddle a dugout log boat, grind grain and bake bread, or watch costumed interpreters going about the daily work of prehistoric life. In summer the reconstructed villages come alive with hands-on activities, making it especially popular with families and children. For the most committed, the centre has long been known for offering the chance to live like an Iron Age or Viking family for a time. Combining serious research with playful, physical learning in beautiful natural surroundings, it is one of Denmark's most distinctive historical experiences.