EMPIRE FARM
Step into Stege's old merchant's house and one of the city's most distinctive historic houses, which today houses Møns Museum.
In the middle of Stege, right by the Mill Gate, lies Empiregården – one of the city’s most distinctive and traditional merchant’s farms. Today, the building houses Møns Museum, but the history of the house goes back a long way and includes enterprising merchants, trading life, stables, wood-burning stoves, boulder walls, female pioneers and a fire that changed the farm forever.
A MERCHANT'S FARM IN THE HEART OF STEGE
The history of Empiregården begins in the late 1770s, when a large, rectangular merchant's farm was built on the site. At that time, a merchant's farm was a shop, a residence, a warehouse and a farm in one. The owner lived here, the family worked here and there were horses, cows, chickens and a respectable plot of land.
Until 1922, merchants and tradesmen left their mark on Empiregården and on life in Stege. The farm followed the development of the times: from a trading house connected to agriculture to a modern grocery store, where the economy no longer lay in the fields, but in the growing amount of goods that were stored in the old attics and in the solid barns.
THE MAIN BUILDING — THE CITY'S "EMPIRE"
In 1813, merchant Hendrich Krænchel had the original front house partially demolished to build the main building that stands today. The elegant house – inspired by the Empire style of the time – was furnished as a residence in the eastern part. At the western end was later a shop with its own entrance, as we know it from a preserved shooting target from 1837.
The main building, with its proportions and design, has been one of Stege's most distinctive townhouses, and it still stands today as a strong testament to the city's trade and prosperity in the early 19th century.
FIRE, REBUILDING AND AN AGELESS BATTLESTONE WALL
The great fire in March 1836 changed the farm dramatically. Large parts of the front house, side houses and back house were destroyed. The six-bay half-timbered house to the west of the main building – the only preserved part of the farm from the 1770s – was half damaged, but quickly rebuilt. The back house and the western side house were also rebuilt.
The boulder wall that delimits the farm to the west was first mentioned in 1811, but may be much older. It still stands as a raw, beautiful and almost timeless element in the Empire Farm's story.
FROM STABLES TO TUBORG BADDIES
During the 19th century, the function of the farm changed. Agriculture disappeared, and the buildings were increasingly used as warehouses, storehouses and workrooms. A new side building from 1888 housed the kitchen and finance department, while other buildings were adapted for stables, a slaughterhouse or storage.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Empiregården housed both a Tuborg depot and something far more unusual: the practice and residence of Jensa Thøger Sørensen – one of Denmark's first female general practitioners, who in the 1940s had her clinic on the first floor.
A MUSEUM IS MOVING IN
In 1958, Møns Museum officially took over Empiregården. The historical setting was preserved, and since the 1970s, both the main building and the annex have undergone extensive restorations to ensure the building's future.
Today, Empiregården is much more than an exhibition space. It is part of the story. When you step through the door, you enter 250 years of Møn history – in the footsteps of merchants, craftsmen, traders, doctors, brewers and museum visitors. A building that has changed over time, but has always been a natural center for life and activity in Stege.
How much does it cost to enter Møns Museum?
It costs DKK 65 for adults and DKK 0 for children. If you are a member of Ældresagen, it costs DKK 50. You can see all our admission prices here .
Is admission to Mølleporten included in the ticket?
Yes, with an entrance ticket to Møns Museum, you can also visit Mølleporten.
Can you visit Møns Museum in a wheelchair or with a stroller/pram?
No. Unfortunately, Møns Museum is located in Empiregården, which is an old, listed building with several floors and level differences between the rooms.
You will be completely enchanted by fascinating stories.
Frederick Landsmeer — Guest at Møns Museum
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