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The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, also called Norsk Folkemuseum, is located on the western side of Oslo, Norway. Hans Aall, the historian and librarian, established the museum in 1894. It is the largest museum of cultural history in Norway.
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, also called Norsk Folkemuseum, is located on the western side of Oslo, Norway. Hans Aall, the historian and librarian, established the museum in 1894. It is the largest museum of cultural history in Norway.
The museum preserves cultural history with vast collections of artefacts from all social groups and regions of the country. It is also home to a large open-air museum that includes over 160 structures from rural and urban areas. The open-air museum comprises three sections- King Oscar II Collection, The Countryside and The Old Town.
You can explore the exhibitions depicting Norway's daily life and living conditions from the 16th century till today. The permanent exhibitions host Sami culture, wood carving, costumes, and folk art. You can also admire the beauty of the 12th-century Gol Stave church, now turned into a museum. Enjoy picnicking and spend quality time with your loved one while strolling around the museum.
Highlights
• Visit the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, one of the famous tourist attractions in Oslo.
• Discover the huge open-air museum, including King Oscar II's Collection, The Old Town and The Countryside.
• Explore the temporary and permanent exhibitions, portraying the life of Norway from the 16th century till today.
• Admire the breathtaking architecture of the Gol Stave church, which has now been converted into a museum.
• Spend some quality time with your loved ones and enjoy a picnic in the Festival Grounds.
How To Reach
- By Car: The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is approximately 6.5 km from the city centre of Oslo, Norway, via Rv162 and E18. You can cover the distance in 15 minutes by a cab.
- By Bus: You can take bus 31E or 31 from Jernbanetorget to Sars' Gate, which will take around 7 minutes. Further, the destination is 5 minutes walk away. The buses operate every 10 minutes from the stop.
- By Subway: You can take subway lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 1E, taking you from Stortinget to Tøyen, which will take around 5 minutes. Further, the destination is 10 minutes walk away. The subway trains run every 5 minutes from the stop.
- By Tram: You can take tram line 17 from the Storgata to Lakkegata Skole, which will take around 5 minutes. Further, the destination is 4 minutes walk away. Trams run every 15 minutes from the stop.
Best Time To Visit
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is a year-round tourist destination, so plan your visit as per your availability and seasonal preferences.
- Best season:The best season to visit the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is between May and September due to pleasant weather conditions.
- Best day in the week:The best day in the week to visit the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is throughout the week if you visit between May 1 and September 30. You can visit between Tuesday and Sunday if you are visiting between October 1 and April 30.
- Best time of the day:The best time of the day to visit the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is in the early mornings to avoid crowds. Moreover, the timings between May 1 and September 30 are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The timings between October 1 and April 30 are from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The museum is closed on May 17, December 24 and 25, and January 1.
Other Essential Information
- Wheelchair accessibility is there with the broad gravel paths, providing easy access to explore the place.
- Keep your surroundings clean and throw your litter responsibly in the dustbin or carry it with you.
- Toilet facilities are available at the Main Square, the Festival Grounds, and the Visitor Centre.
- Dogs are allowed in the surroundings, however, you can not take them inside the exhibitions or buildings.
- Smoking is only allowed in specific places such as Main Square and the Old Town, or else it is strictly prohibited.
- You can enjoy picnicking with your loved ones at the picnic tables in the Festival Grounds.
- Carry a camera to capture several priceless moments with your loved ones while strolling around.
Explore Open-air Museum:
You can explore the large open-air museum that has over 160 buildings featuring urban and rural architecture. The museum is home to King Oscar II's Collection, The Old Town and The Countryside.
The King Oscar II's Collection shows the King’s keen interest in Norway and enhances the relationship between the country and the monarch. The Old Town has structures from some suburbs of Christiania (Oslo), Chrystiegården from Brevik, and Barthegården from Kragerø. The Countryside is home to buildings and farmsteads from various rural Norwegian regions.
Discover the Exhibitions
Discover the temporary and permanent exhibitions inside the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. These exhibitions portray the living conditions and daily life of Norway from the 16th century till today.
The permanent indoor exhibition showcases Sami culture, wood carving, traditional costumes, and folk art. You can also explore various temporary exhibitions and engage in programmes for the audience throughout the year.
Enjoy picnicking with your loved ones:
You can spend quality time with your loved ones while picnicking at the picnic tables. You may find these tables in the Festival Grounds, the English Garden, Cotter’s farm and Sami Residence.
You can also enjoy several delicious cuisines in the Café Arkadia inside the museum. The cafe serves a variety of hot and cold beverages along with open-top sandwiches, salads, pastries, and cooked meals. You can also order beer or wine in the cafe.
Admire the 12th century Gol Stave Church
The Gol Stave Church was a 12th-century stave church in the Norwegian Museum. Earlier, the church was in the historical Hallingdal area of Buskerud County, Norway. The reconstructed church was turned into a museum in around 1880.
Architect Waldemar Hansteen prepared a restoration plan after evaluating the preserved parts' condition. The final construction was completed in 1885 and merged with the museum in 1907.
Take away a memory from Museum Shop
You can buy some souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones from the museum shop. While you enter the museum, behold the world of Nordic and Norwegian crafts products, designs and utility items.
They have traditional items providing a wide range of eco-friendly and sustainable products, representing their commitment to a greener future. Due to the seasonal collection, you may always find something new and fascinating things in the shop.
