This article shows a range of ways how to bring the past to life with the aid of full-scale reconstructions. During the past century a broad variety of strategies to bring the past to life in a physical sense have been used in connection with cultural heritage sites. This text shows examples of these strategies and reflects upon the public impact of different ways of reconstructing buildings and other aspects of life in the past. The ways of creating a living past for the future are discussed in relation to Dalby church, monastery and manor.