The 10 Best History Museums in Oslo, Eastern Norway

The 22 July Centre is a learning centre that works with the mediation of memory and knowledge about the terror attacks in Oslo and on Utøya on the 22nd of July 2011. The centre’s educational programme invites school pupils and teachers into the discourse about the 22nd of July and encourages active participation in the negotiation of the attack’s significance both at present, and in the future. Our website is developed with a particular focus on digital resource material, as an offer to schools to strengthen education on the topic of the 22nd of July and related topics. 22 July Centre opened in a temporary location at Teatergata 10 on 27nd of June 2020.

The collection is a varied selected content of Norwegian, Nordic and foreign bibles. The collection contains cultural treasures. Some of the most rare is an exemplar of Gustav Vasas bible from 1541, an original page from The Gutenberg bible, a latin bible from 1487 and handwritten pages from around 1250 . The museum will also show historical materials from other collections.

Come face to face with some of the world's greatest Viking treasures! Experience the best-preserved Viking Ships in the world and unique burial artefacts from boat graves around the Oslo Fjord. These ships have been on voyages of the sea before they became the final resting place for their wealthy owners. Here you will see incredible woodcarvings, mysterious skeleton remains and an immersive film that takes you into the Viking era. This is a museum experience out of the ordinary. Two Museums for the price of one! With a ticket to the Viking Ship Museum, you also get a free pass to the Historical Museum within 48 hours. Closed: 24-26 December; 31 December; 1 January.

Visit The Kon-Tiki Museum and be inspired by Thor Heyerdahl! See the original balsa wood raft from 1947 and the Oscar-winning film from 1951! The museum houses original boats and artifacts from Thor Heyerdahl's world-famous expeditions such as the original Kon-Tiki balsa raft which crossed the Pacific Ocean in 1947 and the original reed boat Ra II which crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1970. Both exhibitions have separate children storylines. The Kon-Tiki Museum also houses one of the most comprehensive exhibitions about Easter Island in the world, including a replica of a family cave from Easter Island. Underneath the Kon-Tiki raft is a special underwater exhibit that is fun for kids. Cinema screening the original Kon-Tiki documentary movie (Oscar for best documentary in 1951) every day at 12:00. Great museum shop. Free with Oslo Pass. A must when visiting Oslo!

Norsk Folkemuseum shows how people lived in Norway from 1500 to the present through its collections from around the country. Among the highlights are the Stave Church from Gol, dating from 1200 and an apartment building with homes from the 20th Century. 160 historic buildings in the big Open-Air Museum represent different regions in Norway, different time periods, as well as differences between town and country, and social classes. Indoor exhibits present Norwegian heritage. The museum has a comprehensive activity program and is open all year.

A number of new attractions were available for the visitors at the Fram Museum, the highlight being the continuous 270 degrees surround film shown from the deck of Fram. The Fram Museum is located at Bygdøy, a short distance from the centre of Oslo and is easily reached by bus or, in the summer season, by ferry from the City Hall quayside. We focus on polar history, our centrepiece beeing FRAM, the strongest wooden polar ship ever, dating from 1893. Our closest neighbours are the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Norwegian Maritime Museum. The Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum are within 15 minutes walk. The Bygdøy peninsula is therefore popularly known as the museum peninsula. Bygdøy is one of Oslo´s main places to go. The main exhibition in the Fram building has explanatory texts in ten languages and describes the three great Fram expeditions. We have exclusive polar souvenirs in our shop and probably the world’s biggest polar book store with 220 different titles.

National museum of Norwegian maritime history from the Viking Age to the present. The Museum has six exhibits partitioned over four decks. Our exhibits include a wide array of maritime topics, such as the technical conventions of sea transport in "The ship," the life and destiny of sailors at sea through history in "At sea!" and our interactive experience centre in "Norway is the sea." Visit our gallery with maritime art with pieces by famous artists such as Christian Krohg, Hans Gude and Axel Revold. Maritime paintings such as these have long held an important role in the Norwegian art community. A selection of the museum’s unique collection of Norwegian traditional boats is exhibited in the central hall. Do not miss out on our exhibition for kids "Voyages with the Chief an Sally Jones" located on the top deck. Fjord cafe and museum shop.

OPENING HOURS FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2019/2020: Closed December 23 to December 26 Closed December 30 to January 6. Museum of Oslo is situated at Frogner Manor in the Vigeland park (Frognerparken). It is a museum of cultural history with one of the largest collections of paintings in Norway. The history of Oslo is illustrated by thematic exhibitions showing, among other things, the development of Oslo and the city's cultural and commercial activities. The museum's Cafe Mathia serves coffee, tea, mineral water, cakes, sandwiches and ice cream. July - August: Guided tours in English on request.