Bakkehuset

Rahbeks’ Historical Living Rooms

Permanent exhibition

Bakkehuset was the private home of the couple, Kamma and Knud Lyne Rahbek. In the Golden Age, known as well as unknown personalities, gathered in the home’s historical living rooms for cozy get-togethers, readings, debates and meetings of cultural exchange. Bakkehuset is an authentically decorated Golden Age home, where 19th century life forms, culture and literature are seen through the perspective of two historical figures. A visit to Bakkehuset is a sensuous experience of one of the most central periods in Danish cultural history – the Golden Age.

Photo: Stuart McIntyre

Kamma and Knud

Kamma and Knud Lyne Rahbek were the owners of Bakkehuset from 1802 to 1830, and during this time authors and scientists such as H.C. Andersen, Adam Oehlenschläger, H.C. Ørsted, N.F.S. Grundtvig, B.S. Ingemann and Johan Ludvig Heiberg all came in the home and contributed to the unique history and atmosphere of Bakkehuset. Discussions, singing and reading took place in the couple’s yellow living room, while Kamma Rahbek served her famous tea. When there were no guests, the living room was filled with Kamma Rahbek’s materials for drawing, letter writing and the box workshop. If Knud Lyne Rahbek was not engaged at the University of Copenhagen, The Royal Theatre or at the many associations of the capital, he would sit in the study immersed in his manuscripts and proof sheets. He was a writer, professor, theater director, magazine editor and taste judge, and together with his wife Kamma, he created a gathering place for many of the young poets of the Golden Age.

The historical living rooms are decorated with several of the couple’s original furniture, but also furniture and objects that have belonged to some of the many guests from Rahbek’s circle.