Visiting the Viking Museum at Borg in Lofoten
Visiting the Viking Museum at Borg
The Borg Viking Museum is one of the most fascinating museums about the Viking Age. The museum brings the Viking Age to life through archaeological finds, immersive experiences and historic reconstructions. Nestled in the dramatic Lofoten Islands region, the museum is a highlight of any road-trip through Lofoten.
This museum isn’t your standard history museum: here you can partake in activities, sail a Viking ship, visit the largest Viking home ever discovered, see archaeological finds, learn Viking arts and crafts, eat Viking food and try the drink of the gods – mead.
I’ve brought groups a few times to the Viking Museum, and the most popular part is the longhouse, where you can get hands on and feel like a Viking. For me, I always preferred the archaeological museum. As you can see, the museum has something for everyone!
I’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your time at the Viking Museum in Borg.
In this article...
Archaeological Discovery
In 1983, while a farmer was ploughing his fields, remains of what were believed to be a Viking settlement were discovered at Borg in Lofoten. The excavation lasted around six years, and during the excavation the largest Viking longhouse was discovered. Archaeologists realized that this was the home of a powerful Viking chieftain who had ruled Lofoten. The settlement was dated to around 500AD and was in use until 950AD, when it was abandoned. The large amount of wealthy items showed that this was a powerful home, and that they were trading with people from far away. There are several different sites in the area, indicating that there were settlements before and after the Viking times. When the excavation was concluded, it was decided to turn the site into a museum and reconstruct the longhouse. This became the Viking Museum as we have it today!
What You See at the Museum
There’s a lot to see and do here, especially in summer. The museum consists of the following:
– A full-scale reconstruction of the Viking longhouse
– Two Viking ships
– Two exhibition halls
– A movie theatre
– A blacksmiths forge
– Boathouses
– Two cafes
– Souvenir shop
Animals
The Longhouse
The reconstructed longhouse is based on finds at the nearby archaeological site. Measuring over 80 metres in length (the size of the archaeological find), the reconstruction has been built using traditional materials and techniques. Inside, the house is divided into different sections showing different aspects of Viking life. 80 metres in length, the original structure was unearthed during an excavation in the 1980s. The replica has been constructed using traditional materials and techniques. Inside, the longhouse is divided into different sections showing different aspects of Viking life, from communal living spaces to storerooms and a feast all. In the summer months, and sometimes in the winter, there are staff dressed up to resemble Vikings and they will talk about their life in this building.
The house is divided into different sections, as it would’ve been during Viking times. The living quarters is where everyone slept and where work was done, and food was cooked. The feast hall was the centre of events and where celebrations and rituals took place. The most precious finds from the excavation were concentrated at the feast hall. The barn during the Viking Age would’ve been for livestock. In the current reconstruction, it has an exhibition of sculptures and figures from Norse mythology.
Inside you’ll find people dressed up in Viking costume doing handicrafts or explaining Viking culture.
You can learn more about the longhouse here: https://www.museumnord.no/en/stories/the-chieftains-house-at-borg/
While in the longhouse, you can participate in hands-on activities, including traditional crafts such as weaving or blacksmithing, or you can play Viking games. During the summer months, the museum has live demonstrations of Viking combat techniques, shipbuilding, and other skills.
Outdoor Attractions
The walk down to the harbour area takes around twenty minutes, and it’s important to know that it is not open in the winter months. The museum has two Viking ships (copies of the Gokstad ship in Oslo), a reconstructed forge, a boathouse and ironworks. The ships do scenic cruises in the summertime. Also, in summer you can try your hand at some Viking warrior and hunting skills. There are two stations where you can try shooting with a bow and arrow and learn how to throw an ax at a target. In Viking times, the blacksmith had an important role, making arrowheads and spearheads, iron rivets and other tools in use around the settlement.
There is even a farm here! You can see various historic breeds, including Nordland horses, Nordland cattle, wild sheep, and wild boar.
You can find more information (and a map) here: https://www.lofotr.no/en/outdoor-area/
Indoor Museum
Back indoors, you can visit the indoor exhibition to see items that were found during the excavation. These include tools, jewellery, and weaponry. The indoor exhibition is divided into three parts. Firstly, there is a room about the discovery and excavation of the longhouse. Then, you watch a film about the people and events at Borg during the Viking Age. Finally, there is the collection of archaeological finds from Borg. The movie, “The Dream of Borg”, is honestly a little cheesy – but I like it anyway! The film is based on interpretations of the Viking King Olav Tvennumbrunni and the unification of Norway under one king, and recreates an interpretation of the life and atmosphere of Borg during the Viking Age.
It’s recommended to use the audio guide here, as the guide tells the story of the discovery here and explains in detail what you’re looking at.
You can get a detailed overview of the Viking finds here: https://www.lofotr.no/en/archaeological-finds/
Lofotr Viking Festival
Every year in August, the Lofotr Viking Festival is held. There are games, stories, competitions, a market, theatre, music and more. There are also courses and educational activities.
Viking Feast
Every evening the museum offers a special Viking-style dinner. You can find out more information on their website: https://www.lofotr.no/en/food-drink/
Practical Information
Local Name
Lofotr Vikingmuseum
Admission Prices
Tickets vary according to the season (at the moment they are 200 NOK in winter and 250 NOK in summer per person). Discounts are available for students and seniors.
You can find the current ticket prices here: https://www.lofotr.no/en/find-us/
Opening Hours
The museum is open all year round, but hours vary depending on the season. You can find current opening hours here: https://www.lofotr.no/en/find-us/
Audio Guides
The audio guide system has translations in Norwegian, English, German, French, Spanish and Italian. You load it up onto your smart phone and then connect to the free wifi.
Guided Tours
If you can, I encourage booking a guided tour. Your guide will greet you at the museum entrance and he/she will be dressed up in the Viking gear. Their knowledge is excellent and really brings the setting to life.
Facilities
The museum shop here is excellent, especially if you want something Viking themed. You can by jewellery based on the excavations, a Viking Age board game called Hnefatafl, wooden swords, children’s toys, shirts, knitted goods, soap, creams, foodstuffs, and a huge selection of bookings about the Vikings in all languages.
There are two cafes here. Skjeltersjåen is located by the Vikingship harbour and has various Viking style dishes as well as hot and cold drinks. This café only opens in the summer. In the main museum building is the museum café, with meals prepared according to ingredients available to the Vikings. There’s also hot and cold drinks, waffles and ice cream.
Parking
There is a large parking lot by the museum. To get to the museum, a bit of up-hill walking is involved.
Final Thoughts on the Viking Museum at Borg
The Borg Viking Museum is more than just another history museum; it is a fascinating way to learn about the Viking Age. Through its combination of educational exhibitions, interactive experiences, and spectacular surroundings, the museum has is a must-see in Lofoten.
I love museums that are interactive and have actual objects from the time period. I’m not a fan of screens and replicas. While the longhouse isn’t original, the amount of effort and love that has gone into it makes it very good to see. Also, the fact that it’s where a Viking longhouse was discovered brings a lot to the authenticity of the structure.
Be sure to check out my Svolvær travel guide! Here you can find all my recommendations of things to do and see, plus practical information for visiting the Lofoten Islands.
