Viking Ship Museum, Oslo

Viking Ship Museum, Oslo (must see)

Situated on the Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo, the Viking Ship Museum forms an integral part of the Museum of Cultural History at the University of Oslo. Within its walls lie three burial ships from the Viking era, unearthed as significant archaeological discoveries from sites like Tune, Gokstad (Sandefjord), Oseberg (Tønsberg), and the Borre mound cemetery.

The museum gains its greatest renown for hosting the remarkably intact Oseberg ship, extracted from the world's largest documented ship burial. Alongside this, the Viking Ship Museum boasts the Gokstad ship and Tune ship as its main draws. Expanding the experience, the Viking Age exhibition presents an array of artifacts, encompassing sleds, beds, a horse cart, wood carvings, tent components, buckets, and various grave goods.

In 1913, Swedish scholar Gabriel Gustafson put forth a dedicated architectural concept aimed at housing Viking Age discoveries that had surfaced during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The University of Oslo had previously offered temporary refuge to the Gokstad and Oseberg ships. An architectural competition was organized, ultimately won by Arnstein Arneberg.

The construction of the Oseberg ship hall received funding from the Norwegian Parliament, leading to the relocation of the ship from the university's provisional shelters in 1926. Subsequently, the halls for the Gokstad and Tune ships were finalized by 1932. Nonetheless, the completion of the last hall faced delays, partly due to World War II, reaching its conclusion in 1957. This final hall accommodates the majority of the other findings, primarily sourced from the Oseberg site.

Why You Should Visit:
The best place to see real Viking ships in a great conservation state and other pieces of Viking history.
The building is a wonderful setting for the ships. Pretty cheap entrance ticket as well.
Outside café and pleasant sitting out area, weather permitting.

Tip:
There's a locker you can use for free where you can put your bags, since they only allow small purses.
Your ticket also covers free entry to the Museum of Cultural History nearby within 48 hours.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oslo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Viking Ship Museum on Map

Sight Name: Viking Ship Museum
Sight Location: Oslo, Norway (See walking tours in Oslo)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Oslo, Norway

Create Your Own Walk in Oslo

Create Your Own Walk in Oslo

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Museum District (Bygdoy) Walking Tour

Museum District (Bygdoy) Walking Tour

Oslo's Museum District, located on the Bygdoy Peninsula, is home to some of the most visited museums in the city. Repositories of precious artifacts from Norway’s history, these remarkable institutions collectively represent a treasure trove for those keen on exploring this northerly nation's past.

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Oslo's religious landscape, particularly within the Christian tradition, is a captivating tapestry interwoven with history, faith, and architectural elegance. The city boasts a collection of historical churches reflecting the evolution of local Christian communities. Diverse in their designs, these sacred sites offer a glimpse into the deep-rooted religious traditions that have shaped Oslo...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Grunerlokka Walking Tour

Grunerlokka Walking Tour

Formerly a working-class area of Oslo, Grunerlokka is one of the capital’s hippest neighborhoods. This district is named after Friedrich Gruner, the former chief administrator of the city in the late 1600s. Today's Grunerlokka is a fusion of Norwegian and foreign cultures, owing it largely to the late 20th-century gentrification process.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Old Oslo Walking Tour

Old Oslo Walking Tour

The historic Old Town of Oslo is the oldest part of the city which dates back to the days of medieval Norway. This urban area emerged around the year 1000 and became the capital of Norway's dominion (within the Dano-Norwegian Realm) around 1300. The Old Town district continued to be known as Oslo, while the whole city was called Christiania, until 1925.

One of its prominent landmarks is...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Oslo Introduction Walking Tour

Oslo Introduction Walking Tour

Oslo is the capital of Norway. The name "Oslo" means the field below the hill or the field of the Gods. The city's ancient roots can be traced as far back as the year 1000. Back then, the area was known as Viken. By 1300, it had a population of about 3,000 residents. Around that time, King Haakon V ordered the construction of the Akershus Fortress which today is a major city...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

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