Viking Ship Museum (Oslo): what it is like and when you can visit it

Can you imagine being able to see real 9th century viking ships that are still in very good condition?

Well you tourist trip to Oslo, offers you the possibility of seeing an important collection of Viking objects, including the aforementioned ships.

Indeed, in the Norwegian capital is the Viking Ship Museum, specifically, in the area of neighborhood museums Bygdoy.

The origin of this museum lies in the discovery of large tombs in which the viking ships They fulfilled the function of funeral ships, which are now preserved in the small building that houses the museum.

When does the Oslo Viking Ship Museum open?

Now, at present The Oslo Viking Ship Museum is closed to the public until 2026 since a complete remodeling is being carried out.

Until then, if you are very interested in seeing a complete collection of viking objects During your trip to Oslo, you have the possibility to visit the history museum.

Here you have all the information for visit the Oslo History Museum, with the artistic collections that you can see, schedules y ticket prices.

What to see at the Oslo Viking Ship Museum

When you can visit, the most impressive of the viking ships What you will be able to see is what is known as Oseberg Ship, which was built around the year 820 and later became the funeral ship of a powerful woman of the time and her maid.

Measuring 21 meters long and 5 meters wide, this Viking ship It required the effort of 32 men to crew it.

El Oseberg Ship It was discovered in excavations carried out in 1904, and in it a large collection of funerary offerings was found, such as a cart, three sleighs and five animal heads carved in wood.

The skeletons of 12 horses were also found.

But the one of oseberg It was not the first of the ships discovered.

In 1867 the Tune Boat, the one that is in the worst condition, since barely its platform remains.

Built of oak, it is thought to have been a fast seagoing vessel.

And later, in 1884, the Gokstad ship, built around the year 890.

This Viking ship is 23 meters long and 5 meters wide, and had 32 shields on each of its sides.

Numerous objects were also found, such as a board and game pieces, kitchen utensils, a sleigh and three small boats.

After their respective discoveries, these ships were displayed for a time in gardens of the University of Oslo.

It was in 1913 when one of the professors who participated in the excavations, Gabriel Gustafson, proposed the construction of a museum to exhibit them.

In 1926 the main room was inaugurated, occupied by the Oseberg Ship, and years later the wings where the ships are located were opened. Gokstad and Tune.

Where and how to visit the Oslo Viking Ship Museum

For visit the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo You have to catch a boat at the main pier of the city located in front of the building of the Town hall.

This boat will take you to the aforementioned Bigdoy neighborhood, where you can also see other museums with a maritime focus, such as the Fram and Kon-tiki.

When you enter the museum building, you find yourself facing the bow of the Oseberg ShipAs I said, the best preserved.

To see it better, you can go up to a viewing point located on the second floor above the lobby.

The building is shaped like a cross, and in the left wing you find the Gokstad ship and on the right, that of Tune.

In the background you can see the wooden cart, the sleighs, the carved heads and some offerings found in the funerary chambers.

In short, you will have the sensation of taking a leap in time to relive Viking stories.

Oslo Viking Ships Museum Hours

The Oslo Viking Ship Museum visiting hours When it was open to the public they were, from May to September, from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m., and from October to April, from 10 a.m. to 16 p.m.

Viking Ships museum ticket prices

As a reference, I will tell you that until its closure, the ticket prices they were, adults, 120 kr (11,90 euros); students and seniors, 90 kr (8,90 euros); and those under 18 years old, free entry.

Photos from the Viking Ships Museum in Oslo

Here you have more photos of viking ships what you can see in the oslo museum.