Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The impressive 22m-long
Oseberg,
buried in 834, is festooned on prow and stern with
elaborate dragon and serpent carvings. The burial chamber beneath it held the largest col-
lection of Viking-Age artefacts ever uncovered in Scandinavia, but had been looted of all
jewellery. As daunting as the ship appears, it was probably only ever intended as a royal
pleasure craft. The sturdier 24m-long
Gokstad,
built around 890, is the finest remaining
example of a Viking longship, but when it was unearthed its corresponding burial chamber
had also been looted and few artefacts were uncovered. In addition to the three ships, there
are displays of skeletons found alongside the boats.
Norsk Folkemuseum
MUSEUM
en 10; adult/child Nkr110/30, with Oslo Pass free;
10am-6pm mid-May-mid-Sep, 11am-3pm Mon-
Fri & 11am-4pm Sat & Sun mid-Sep-mid-May)
Norway's largest open-air museum and one of Oslo's premier attractions is this folk mu-
seum. The museum includes more than 140 buildings, mostly from the 17th and 18th cen-
turies, gathered from around the country, rebuilt and organised according to region of ori-
gin. Paths wind past old barns, elevated
stabbur
(raised storehouses) and rough-timbered
farmhouses with sod roofs sprouting wildflowers. Little people will be entertained by the
numerous farm animals, horse and cart rides, and other activities (some of which cost ex-
tra).
The Gamlebyen (Old Town) section is a reproduction of an early-20th-century Norwegi-
an town and includes a village shop and an old petrol station; everyday throughout the
summer you can see demonstrations of weaving, pottery-making and other artisan and cul-
tural activities. Another highlight is the restored stave church, built around 1200 in Gol
and shifted to Bygdøy in 1885.
The exhibition hall located near the main entrance includes exhaustive displays on Nor-
wegian folk art, historic toys, national costumes (including traditional clothing used for
weddings, christenings and burials), domestic and farming tools and appliances, as well as
visiting exhibits. However, the most interesting exhibition focuses on the life and culture
of the Sami. It examines their former persecution and looks at how they have adapted to
life in a modern Norway. Temporary exhibitions can be as varied as church art or 1950s
pop culture. Sunday is a good day to visit, as this day tends to have the most activities.
As most of the exhibits are outdoors, it makes sense to go on a nice day!
