Bygdoy Peninsula in Oslo
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Bygdoy Peninsula in Oslo
Bygdoy is a residential district in Oslo, situated on a peninsula which boasts some of the city main attractions. Five museums all dedicated to the ancient marine activities of the city are located on the peninsula. The district is characterized by crowded beaches and long cyclable paths. Although the district lies only a few minutes from the city centre, Bygdoy still preserves a countryside atmosphere, and it is still a charming and pleasant place to go for a walk. From April to October connections to the district are ensured by a ferry boat service leaving from Pier n. 3, opposite the Town Hall. The journey takes approximately15 minutes. Alternatively, you may reach Bygdoy by bus (n. 30) , in about 20 minutes. Among the 5 museums present on the peninsula, the following ones are particularly worth a visit:
Norsk Folkemuseum
The folklore museum is a compulsory place to visit if you wish to discover the nation’s country traditions. This is one of the largest outdoor museum in Europe, with more than 155 traditional houses coming from every part of Norway. Numerous activities such as craftsman laboratories, traditional dances, local cuisine tastings are held here in summer. The museum offers a rich calendar of temporary exhibitions, including traditional habits, popular art, music instruments, toys, art collections, craftsmanship, exhibition of sami culture (the native population of north Europe) and much more.
Every year, during Christmas time, the characteristic Christmas markets also take place.
www.norskfolkemuseum.no
Museum of the Viking ships (Vikingskipshuset)
The major attraction of this museum is represented by three Viking ships: Oseberg Gokstad and Tune, among the best preserved in the world. The most solemn one ist the Oseberg,ship, , decorated both on the stern and the bows side with sculptures representing a dragon and snake. This ship requested a number of 30 oarsmen to sail.
All ships were found in the Oslo Fjord, where they had been lying for a thousand years in three huge burial mounds, with the purpose to accompany their owners, presumably people of the royal family, in their afterlife journey. A video shows the conditions of the vessels at the moment of their discovery, the techniques used to preserve them and the various operations of recovery and reconstruction.
The museum exhibits exceptional finds such as small boats, sleighs, a carriage, some ancient Viking tissues and various tools, which were considered as necessary accessories, accompanying the souls of the dead in their future existence in the Walhalla, the Viking’s underworld. According to this belief, the souls of dead warriors were destined to fight, die and live again forever.
You may also visit the construction site where an old Viking ship is being built using ancient techniques.
Places not to be missed in Oslo
