Viking Ship Museum

Viking Ship Museum

Viking Ship Museum

The Viking Ship Museum is situated on the Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo, Norway. It’s part of the Museum of Cultural History of the University of Oslo. The museum is most famous for the completely whole Oseberg ship, excavated from the largest known ship burial in the world.

The Museum houses three Viking-era burial ships that were found as part of archaeological finds from Tune, Gokstad, Oseberg and the Borre mound cemetery. These Viking Ships are more than 1000 years old.

The Oseberg ship, dating back to the 9th century, is the most famous and well-preserved of the three. It was discovered in a burial mound in Oseberg, Norway, and it contained the remains of two women, along with a wealth of grave goods and artefacts. The ship’s intricate carvings and detailed craftsmanship provide valuable insights into Viking shipbuilding techniques and the culture of the time.

The Gokstad ship, dating from the 9th century as well, was found in a burial mound in Gokstad, Norway. It is larger and more seaworthy compared to the Oseberg ship. The Gokstad ship is believed to have been a royal burial vessel and is notable for its richly decorated stern and the wealth of grave goods found onboard.

The Tune ship, discovered in the 19th century near Fredrikstad, Norway, is the smallest of the three ships and dates back to the 9th century. Although not as well-preserved as the other two ships, it still provides valuable insights into Viking shipbuilding techniques.

The building was designed exclusively for the museum by the Norwegian architect Arnstein Arneberg and has been declared protected by the cultural authorities of the country.

The hall for the Oseberg ship was built with funding from the Parliament of Norway, and the ship was moved from the University shelters in 1926.

In 2015, the Ministry let Statsbygg announce a competition for the expansion of existing facilities at Bygdøy. The Danish firm AART Architects with their proposal titled “NAUST”, Won the competition on April 12th, 2016.

Admission

Ticket TypePrice
Senior/Student90
Adults120
Under 18 yearsFree Entry
Discounts: free with the Oslo Pass & Oslo Pass advantage: Free entrance

Facts About Viking Ship Museum

  • The museum is most famous for the completely whole Oseberg ship, excavated from the largest known ship burial in the world.
  • The hall for the Oseberg ship was built with funding from the Parliament of Norway, and the ship was moved from the University shelters in 1926.
  • In 2015 the Ministry let Statsbygg announce a competition for the expansion of existing facilities at Bygdøy.
  • More Facts About Viking Ship Museum

How To Get To Viking Ship Museum

Travelling to the Viking ship museum from Oslo Central Station, there are a number of ways to get there:

  • By Bus: Walk from Oslo Central Station to Tollboden, which should take less than 5 minutes walk, then from there Bus from Tollboden to Vikingskipene, Line 30 bus, which should take around 20 minutes, after a quick walk from Vikingskipene to Viking ship Museum, which takes 2 minutes.
  • By Tam: Tram from Jernbanetorget to Skarpsno, Line 13 Tram, which takes 11 minutes, Then a Walk from Skarpsno to Viking ship museum, which will take 35 minutes.
  • By Taxi & Uber: Taxi from Oslo Central Station to Viking ship museum, which will take 9 minutes, and cost anything between 200 Norwegian Krone to 334 Norwegian Krone (£15 to £25).
  • Walking: Walk from Oslo Central Station to Viking ship museum, will take around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Visitors to the Viking Ship Museum can explore the impressive vessels up close and learn about their history and significance through informative exhibits and audiovisual presentations. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the seafaring and cultural prowess of the Vikings, who were skilled shipbuilders and explorers during their era.

The Viking Ship Museum is a popular tourist attraction in Oslo, attracting visitors from around the world who are interested in the Viking Age and Norse history. It provides a unique opportunity to see these magnificent Viking ships and gain a deeper understanding of the Viking civilization and its maritime traditions.

Viking Ship Museum, oslo
Viking Ship Museum, Oslo