MUSICON
The 250,000 square meters that today make up Musicon were, until 1940, part of Roskilde’s common land, used as farmland alongside a growing gravel pit. Over the next 60 years, the area was dominated by concrete, with significant concrete deliveries for the construction of the Great Belt Bridge serving as the most prominent project. Since Roskilde Municipality took over the former industrial site in the southern part of Roskilde in 2003, a new urban area has emerged, offering major cultural experiences and innovative ways of living.
Today, Musicon is visually and culturally anchored by the Rock Museum and the Roskilde Festival Folk High School—the so-called “Rock Magnet”—which, through their musical and cultural activities, connect the neighborhood with the Roskilde Festival and the fairgrounds just a few hundred meters away. The Rock Museum is a tourist attraction and a cultural anchor, while the folk high school brings a continuous flow of creative young people interested in music and culture. Together, they create an energy that sets the tone for the entire neighborhood.
Musicon’s musical DNA is also reflected in street names and housing associations—such as Haveje, where it is actually possible to rent an apartment.
The name, which pays homage to Kim Larsen’s classic song, is far from the only thing with a musical quality. Like power cables connecting the sounds of the neighborhood’s cultural offerings with the aromas of street food spots and residential areas, you’ll also find places like Rabalderstræde, Bagtæppet, and Lydmuren—names that speak to the creativity, energy, and sense of community that have put Musicon on Roskilde’s cultural map.
And it is precisely by linking the music to the area’s industrial history, modern architecture, and vibrant urban life that Musicon becomes a unique place to live—but certainly also to visit—a place where you can feel the rhythm of the neighborhood from day one.
Rhythm and pulse aren’t the whole story at Musicon. On the quieter side of the Rock Museum, you’ll find artisans and workshops where materials, ideas, and craftsmanship are allowed to unfold with artistic calm and concentration. Here, creations take shape on a smaller scale, serving as a counterpoint to the Rock Museum’s larger narratives and the festival’s grand events.
Throughout the year, the neighborhood’s squares come alive with markets, street food festivals, and cultural events. Some days the atmosphere is lively and festive; other days it is quiet and everyday. This alternation between activity and tranquility helps define the neighborhood’s diverse character.
RECYCLING
Recycling is a third key concept at Musicon, which, in addition to repurposing the old halls, features several high-quality vintage and thrift stores.
Musicon’s approach to creative reuse is also exemplified in Rabalderparken: Many of the concrete blocks and remnants from Unicon’s old warehouses have been integrated into ramps and surfaces that are now used for recreation, play, and skating. The industrial history is still evident, while the area buzzes with activity on sunny days. The skatepark serves both as a physical space and as a narrative of the neighborhood’s transformation from industry to creative movement.
Musicon isn’t finished—it’s constantly evolving. Every container, every café, every workshop, and every space bears witness to an area where ideas become reality and where urban life, culture, and creativity come together. Here, you can start your day with coffee on Containerstrøget, find inspiration in arts and crafts and street food, feel the pulse of the preserved concrete halls—and maybe take a spin on your skateboard before the day ends with music, conversations, and experiences.
Musicon demonstrates how a post-industrial neighborhood can become an exciting and visionary community where the past, present, and future converge in a vibrant landscape of life and creativity.
Special Exhibition
At the Rock Museum, we celebrate not only the sound of music, but also everything that surrounds it.
Special Exhibition
In 1968, Birthe traveled to London, and for her, this marked the beginning of a whole new adventure within the inner circle of Beatles fans.
Permanent exhibition
