Iron extraction experiments with the University of Copenhagen

On 1 May, you can experience experimental archaeology in practice when Associate Professor Henriette Lyngstrøm and students from the University of Copenhagen work with iron extraction in Lejre Land of Legends.
It’s a unique insight into the craftsmanship and technology of the past, where ancient methods are tested and recreated in reality. See how ancient people turned ant ore and fire into usable iron.

Prindsens Hverving takes over Lejre Land of Legends

On the weekend of 3 and 4 May, Prindsens Hverving will take over Lejre Land of Legends and bring the Iron Age to life.
The group, which has roots dating back to the 1960s, specialises in bringing to life life in Denmark around the years 0-400.
Through dramatic tableaux, realistic weapon demonstrations and everyday activities such as weaving, cooking and plant colouring, they bring history to life so you can feel, smell and hear it.
Get close to the past and have an unforgettable encounter with antiquity!

Theme weekend in the Pottery

On 3 and 4 May, Potteriet opens its doors to a special theme weekend in Lejre Land of Legends.
Here you can experience the clay forming under the hands of our potters, hear about ancient techniques and see how pots and vessels are made – from the wet lump to the finished clay vessel.
There will be activities and stories for both children and adults.
More information about the theme and programme will follow soon – but one thing is certain: It will be clayful, vibrant and educational!

Iron mining experiments with the University of Copenhagen

On Wednesday 8 May, we repeat the unique journey back to the Iron Age. Henriette Lyngstrøm and students from the University of Copenhagen will experiment with iron extraction using historical methods.
How was iron created from soil? What did it take in terms of fire, technique and patience? Get the answers as the experiment unfolds in the vivid setting of Sagnlandet.

Learn about the use and history of runes and carve your own rune stick when Sagnlandet’s rune master and expert Vikings teach young and old about the runes of the past.

Iron extraction experiments with the University of Copenhagen

On Friday 10 May, a series of iron extraction experiments will culminate in Lejre Land of Legends. Researcher Henriette Lyngstrøm and her students from the University of Copenhagen will conduct their final experiment in the series, recreating and exploring ancient techniques.
Come and experience how the crafts of the past can still awaken new knowledge – and get a glimpse of how archaeologists work in practice.

The wool’s journey from sheep to sock

On 24 and 25 May, we will be celebrating wool in the farmhouses in Lejre Land of Legends.
In Krikkebjerghusene – our historic homesteads from the 1800s – the sheep will be sheared with the traditional sheep shears, just as it was done back then.
We take a closer look at the freshly sheared sheep, sort the wool and transform it with skilful hands. The day is rounded off with a classic carding guild where we process the wool together and share stories, laughs and old skills.
Come and follow the journey of wool – from sheep’s back to warm socks.

Our animal keeper shears sheep

Get up close and personal when our animal keeper shears sheep!
Three times a day – at 12.00, 13.00 and 14.00 – you can experience how the sheep in Lejre Land of Legends are sheared the old-fashioned way.
Each session lasts about 15 minutes and gives you an insight into working with the animals, sheep shearing techniques and the first part of the wool’s journey out into the world.

Come to the carding party and feel the warmth of history in your hands!

Once the sheep are shorn, the long journey from wool to sock begins. In the old days, wool was often hidden away over the summer, when the fields and animals did all the work. But after Michaelmas on 29 September, the evening meal began – and with it the transformation of the wool.

At the carding guild, the wool was first teased, plucked and pre- carded before being carded into fine cloth, ready to be spun and knitted. On a winter’s day, you could card a pound of wool – and one sheep yielded two to four pounds. If you had too much, you might get an old woman in the neighbourhood to help out in exchange for food. But you could also invite people to a carding party – the girls from the local youth team would come and card to songs, laughter and competitions. The young men also came, with their own sock knitting in hand, and the evening was spent in good company.

In Lejre Land of Legends you can experience a kartegilde from 14.30 to 15.30.
Learn to card, hear the stories and be part of the joint effort that made the winter knitting possible.

Iron Age theme weekend – Ascension Day in Lejre Land of Legends

During the Ascension holiday – from 29 to 31 May and 1 June – you can experience life in the Iron Age up close.
In the Iron Age village, the residents open the doors to a special themed weekend where you get a unique insight into how life unfolded more than 2000 years ago.
You’ll smell the smell of bonfires, work with clay, weave, mould, tell stories and share knowledge about the methods and materials of the past.
Details of the programme will follow – but you can already look forward to four days in the Iron Age.

Iron Age theme weekend – Ascension Day in Lejre Land of Legends

During the Ascension holiday – from 29 to 31 May and 1 June – you can experience life in the Iron Age up close.
In the Iron Age village, the residents open the doors to a special themed weekend where you get a unique insight into how life unfolded more than 2000 years ago.
You’ll smell the smell of bonfires, work with clay, weave, mould, tell stories and share knowledge about the methods and materials of the past.
Details of the programme will follow – but you can already look forward to four days in the Iron Age.

Constitution Day in Lejre Land of Legends – 5 June

On 5 June, we celebrate Constitution Day in Lejre Land of Legends – a day where history and democracy meet.
Bring the family to an atmospheric day where we focus on community, freedom and the past in our living cultural-historical landscape.
Activities and programme will be announced soon – but the day offers experiences for both young and old in the Danish summer.

Theme weekend in the Viking Age – About the law in the Viking Age – Whitsun in Lejre Land of Legends

How was right and wrong decided in a time without judges and prisons?
During the Pentecost weekend from 6 to 9 June, we delve into the Viking worldview, where honour, revenge and reconciliation weighed heavily.
Meet the Vikings at the courthouse, listen to stories about ancient laws and try your hand at right and wrong.
There will be activities, presentations and live storytelling for both children and adults.
More info to follow – but expect a Pentecost with power, wisdom and a fight for justice!

Meet the arrow weavers in Lejre Land of Legends

Come and experience willow weaving in the flesh when Sagnlandet’s skilled willow weavers show off their craft in Krikkebjerghusene.
The beautiful baskets and wickerwork tell stories of both technique and tradition.
Two days of attention to detail, tranquillity, contemplation and craftsmanship.

Embroidered textiles in the Viking Age

An embroidery worthy of a royal hall
A unique archaeological find reveals rich and detailed textiles in a royal hall. The elaborate fabric is decorated with leopards, birds, masks and acanthus leaves – embroidered in an impressive pattern.

On 28 and 29 June, you can see how this extraordinary piece of textile history is recreated at Sagnlandets Dragtværksted. Meet the facilitators and learn about techniques, symbolism and the incredible precision behind ancient embroidery.

A weekend for anyone with an interest in craftsmanship, history and the beauty of stitches.

Iron Age themed week at Lethra Village

Iron Age themed week at Lethra Village
From 21 to 27 July, we invite you to an exciting themed week where you can experience life in the Iron Age. Visit the village of Lethra, see blacksmithing techniques in action, learn about the crafts that characterised Iron Age life and gain insight into ancient traditions.
More info on activities and timings coming soon!

Theme week – The animals in Lejre Land of Legends

Experience the animals up close in Lejre Land of Legends! From 28 July to 3 August, you can help feed our animals and hear stories about their lives on the farms.

Today’s programme includes -OBStimes may vary!

11:00: Farm feeding

13.00: The aurochs with Mia in the Valley of the Aurochs

14.00: Wild boar feeding

15.00: Sheep with Mia in front of Hvidesøhus

Get close to the animals and experience something out of the ordinary!

Theme week – The animals in Lejre Land of Legends

Experience the animals up close in Lejre Land of Legends! From 28 July to 3 August, you can help feed our animals and hear stories about their lives on the farms.

Today’s programme includes -OBStimes may vary!

11:00: Farm feeding

13.00: The aurochs with Mia in the Valley of the Aurochs

14.00: Wild boar feeding

15.00: Sheep with Mia in front of Hvidesøhus

Get close to the animals and experience something out of the ordinary!

Archaeological Workshop Week

Discover the exciting world of archaeology in the week of 4 to 10 August! How does an archaeological excavation work and what can we learn from the objects we find?

Among the day’s activities you can:

• Excavate a grave
• Excavate a specimen
• Record artefacts
• Sort artefacts chronologically
• And much more!

Come and learn about the fascinating methods and relevance of archaeology – both past and present.

Theme weekend in Viking

Experience the world of the Vikings on the weekend of 16-17 August!

This weekend we will take you on a journey back to the Viking Age, where you can learn about Viking life, culture and crafts.
More information will follow – we look forward to welcoming you to a weekend filled with exciting activities and historical experiences!

Theme weekend in the spirit of research: Beer brewing

Join us for beer brewing experiments on the weekend of 16-17 August! Explore the art and science of beer brewing, learn about the ingredients that create the perfect brew and take part in fun experiments.
More information to follow – we look forward to sharing this exciting experience with you!

Prindsens Hverving takes over Lejre Land of Legends

On the weekend of 3 and 4 May, Prindsens Hverving will take over Lejre Land of Legends and bring the Iron Age to life.
The group, which has roots dating back to the 1960s, specialises in bringing to life life in Denmark around the years 0-400.
Through dramatic tableaux, realistic weapon demonstrations and everyday activities such as weaving, cooking and plant colouring, they bring history to life so you can feel, smell and hear it.
Get close to the past and have an unforgettable encounter with antiquity!

Theme weekend: Warrior training

Come and experience what it was like to train as a warrior in the past. On the weekend of 30-31 August, you can learn ancient martial arts techniques, train with weapons and gain insight into the physical challenges that faced a warrior.
More info on times and activities will follow soon – we look forward to seeing you!

Processing the nettle as a textile fibre – Experience an old-fashioned craft

Join us for a thorough introduction to the textile fibres of nettle, which have been used since the Neolithic Age. Learn about the extraction of the fibres from the stems, which undergo a reddening process to become soft fibre. In the Dyeing Workshop, you can watch demonstrations and try your hand at processing the nettle.
The event takes place on 6 and 7 September.

You can experience an introduction and try working with it yourself from 10.30 to 13.30 and again from 14.00 to 16.30.

The facilitators will have lunch from 13.30 to 14.00.

Iron Age theme weekend – Coal burners making coal in the Iron Age

In the Iron Age, coal production was an important process and charcoal burners played a central role. Come and experience how coal was made during this time and gain insight into the techniques used. On the day you will have the opportunity to see demonstrations of coal production, which was an important part of Iron Age economy and life.
The event will take place on 13 and 14 September – more info to follow.

Clay cladding in the Iron Age

Come and join us when we clay the longhouse at Sagnlandet Lejre on 20-21 September! The longhouse has a beautiful new roof and now the walls will also be clayed – just as it was done 2000 years ago. Learn about Iron Age building techniques and get an insight into how people worked with clay as a building material. It’s a great opportunity to get closer to the crafts and techniques of the past.