Denmark’s new Moesgaard Museum has a monumental opening year

Attraction south of Aarhus attracts more than half a million guests

Moesgaard Museum in Højbjerg, south of Aarhus, has had a remarkably successful year since reopening in a new building in October last year, DR reports.

More than half a million visitors have already passed through the new doors, compared to an annual visitor count of just 60,000 in the old days.

Guests from China
A contributing factor to the museum’s recent success was its special Chinese exhibition featuring terracotta warriors from the first emperor’s tomb and other artefacts from the Qin and Han dynasties.

But according to Szilvia Gyimóthy, a tourism researcher at Aalborg University, the museum can potentially keep on attracting the visitors back.

“If we look at international examples, it’s possible to continue the success,” she said.

“It requires going with different kinds of exhibition. You need to accommodate both the nerdy with special exhibitions and more entertaining things for families.”

What’s more, Moesgaard’s popularity has been rubbing off on local businesses. Peer Kristensen, the head of VisitAarhus, said the museum’s effect has been noticeable.

“We have got a new player that’s really at the top of its game,” he said.

“That has a huge impact on how we can position ourselves as a culture and experience city. It’s rare to come into the market and get half a million guests.”