Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Complete Guide to Danish Culture
Left: Guests at the Bakkehus can visit the authentic Golden Age home of the renowned Danish author, critic and publisher Knud Rahbek and his wife Kamma Rahbek. Right: Among the new additions to the Bakkehus are a romantic garden, an orangery and a museum shop where visitors can, among many other things, find beautiful boxes based on the designs by Kamma Rahbek.
A historic pocket of peace The Bakkehus museum, the authentic Danish Golden Age home of Knud and Kamma Rahbek – one of the most influential couples of their time – is reopening with a garden and orangery in May. A relaxed lunch, the recreation of Kamma’s romantic garden, and a string of events, including special exhibitions, open-air concerts and garden walks, will all be part of the old house’s new experiences. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Bakkehuset
The Bakkehus, considered the oldest building in Frederiksberg, became the home of the renowned author, critic and publisher Knud Rahbek in 1787. About a decade later, Knud married Kamma Rahbek and their home became a cultural meeting place for some of the period’s most influential people, including Hans Christian Andersen, N.F.S. Grundtvig and Adam Oehlenschläger. Preserved to look much like it did when Knud and Kamma Rahbek passed away, the Bakkehus confers an authentic experience of its past owners’ extraordinary lives. Sidsel Galatius, project manager at the Bakkehus, explains: “Because of the intimate scale of their home, you get a very distinct feeling of sharing the same space and the same air as the many fa48 | Issue 99 | April 2017
mous people who were guests here. You can almost sense all the exciting things that took place in these old rooms, the exchange of ideas, discussions and arguments.” In the old house’s new orangery, guests will be able to enjoy a relaxed tea, coffee or a seasonal lunch with inspiration from both New Nordic and 19th century cuisine. The house will also have its own museum shop, offering, among other things, boxes based on the artistic designs that Kamma Rahbek was known for. Another passion of Kamma’s was her garden. Having developed a passion for botany in her youth, Kamma devoted herself passionately to the cultivation of rare plants and beautiful flowers. Based
on Kamma’s letter correspondence, the garden, one of the first private romantic gardens in Denmark, has today been recreated to provide a charming outdoor area for guests to enjoy. “A visit here is going to be a complete all-round experience. Whether you want to try to see everything or just stop by for a lunch or coffee, before going for a walk in the large Søndermarken park or visiting the museum, we want people to experience what this place is: a timeless pocket of peace,” says Galatius. Facts: The Bakkehus officially reopens with a special opening event taking place on 30 April. The Bakkehus is part of the Frederiksberg Museums, which gives visitors the opportunity to purchase a ticket that gives entry to all five museums and exhibition spaces in the area for just £12.
For more information, please visit: www.bakkehusmuseet.dk or www.frederiksbergmuseerne.dk