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Naverhulen – The Travelling Journeymen’s Den

Travelling journeymen are bound by traditions and rules. For instance, as a travelling journeyman you are only allowed to stay in the same place a maximum of six months. The tradition of travelling journeyman is still in use, particularly in Germany and Switzerland within the carpentry trade. “Wandergesellen”, as the journeymen are called in Germany, cannot be married and must be less than 30 years old when they commence their travels. Their travelling period is 3 years and 1 day, and they are not permitted within 50 km of their hometown.

The Sound Tolls that were charged from 1429-1857 caused great prosperity in the Helsingør area, and the rich civil servants and merchants became a lucrative market for craftsmen. The travelling journeymen’s movement has its roots in the traditional guild movements in Helsingør that were abolished in 1862 following the Freedom of Trade Act in 1857 and the abolishment of the Sound Tolls. However, craftsmen still chose to go travelling, and over time local associations of Scandinavian craftsmen appeared here and there.

Naverhulen (meaning “The Travelling Journeymen’s Den”) in Helsingør was founded in 1919 and is home to ”Klubben for berejste håndværkere i Helsingør” – “The Association of travelling journeymen in Helsingør”, also known as ”naverne”. Following World War I, many craftsmen returned home after working abroad, especially in southern Europe. 16 of these craftsmen met up at Hotel du Nord in Helsingør and decided that this should be a meeting place for travelling journeymen.

Naverhulen is said to be one of the most beautiful of its kind in Europe. Today, the building consists of a modern apartment, the boardroom of the association (Tingstuen), a record office, a storage room (Laden) and conference rooms (Hulen) with daily opening hours for members of the association. The rooms contain interesting souvenirs brought home from foreign countries.

Today, the association still has five members who travel the roads looking for work in the characteristic ”kluft”, a work suit made from black velvet.

Visit www.naverhulen.dk (website in Danish) to find contact information if you would like to visit this unique place and get an interesting guided tour and a chance to hear the extraordinary story of the travelling journeymen’s movement, the association and the den.

Billede: Naverhulen.dk      

Coordinates: Latitude:56.036271
Longitude: 12.612395

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