Viking Ship Museum, Oslo
Posted On March 15, 2011
If you are in Oslo, I would recommend not to leave without a trip to the Viking Ship Museum that is also known as the Vikingskiphuset. Housed within the museum, it is nestled on the Bygdøy Peninsula. In this legendary Viking Ship Museum, you will come across the three big Viking ships namely, Tune, Gokstad, and Oseberg along with the findings at the Borre’s chief grave that rests in the district of Vestfold. These three giants were excavated at the Oslo fjord’s imperial burial mounds and are the ideally preserved Viking ships. All of them are burial ships that were meant for transporting the dead to the so-called ‘Other World’, due to which they were very well equipped with the distinctive gems like the horses, wagons, and textiles. Of these artifacts, the textiles are very valuable as they are hardly ever preserved since this powerful era and today, they are preserved carefully in the museum.
Although several Viking ships are excavated, which are quite intact; the most attractive is the preserved Oseberg ship. It is said to be believed to date back to the 9th century and is assumed to erected around 815-820 AD. Several are of the opinion that this one was utilized as a sailing vessel since years after which it was converted into a burial ship only for a famous lady who gave up her mortal body in 834 AD. As per the findings and carvings, the body was kept in the burial chamber that can be still seen in the aft area. Just besides was another woman’s body, which is believed to be of a servant. And yes, there were many precious possessions buried with her. Below the vessel, a blue clay bed used to exists, whereas the mound was composed of the turf. However, it was this bed clay that played a vital role in preserving the ship since more than 1000 years. The graves used to hold much more beyond jewelry, which also included vehicle tools, weapons, and household goods all of which are now displayed in the museum.
The Viking Ship Museum activates the real life during the Viking Age via its authentic archaeological finds. Other displays of the Viking Age include buckets, beds, sledges, wood carving, horse cart, and tent parts all of which formed the components in the grave. The museum was made for the Viking Ships only and that too by famous Norwegian architects. The museum was opened for the first time in 1927 after which it has a record of displaying temporary exhibitions along with the offer of many activities.
Timings
May to Sept: 0900 – 1800
Oct to April: 1000 – 1600
Closed on Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve and Day, and Boxing Day
Entry fees:
- Adults : 60 NOK
- Children (7 to 16) : 30 NOK
- Student : 35 NOK
- Seniors : 35 NOK
- Family : 140 NOK for 2 adults and children below 16
- 10 people group : 35 NOK
Guided tours
Yes, but mainly for the school groups
Reaching here
The museum is reachable within 10 minutes of driving from the downtown. If you are catching a bus, take 30 from Nationalteateret via Bygdøynes og Huk to Vikingskipshuset. However, it is very exciting to take a Bygdøy ferry that is available from Rådhuskaia that is pier of the City Hall and get down at Dronningen. However, this is available from April to October.
