What to do and see in Oppland, Eastern Norway: The Best History Museums

On the 9th of April 1940, German troops landed in Norway. We were at war, and the battle to avoid invasion lasted for two months. The german army reached Gudbrandsdalen 21st of April 1940 with the battle of Tretten and Gausdal. On the 25th and 26th of April, Kvam in Gudbrandsdalen became the centre of one of the most serious battles in southern Norway. During this bitter fight between German and British troops, some 70 buildings were burned to the ground and among them was the church in Kvam. Gudbrandsdalen 1940 was the first ground battle between German and British forces in WW2. The Battle of Kringen on the 26th of August 1612, involved an ambush by Norwegian peasant militia of Scottish mercenary soldiers who were on their way to enlist in the Swedish army for the Kalmar War. George Sinclair was ambushed by Norwegian militia along with 300 of his men while marching through Norway to join the army of the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus. Sinclair, riding at the head of the column and wearing a plumed helmet, was the first to fall; he was shot by Sjelstad, a Norwegian militiaman. The officers, including the expedition leader, Colonel Ramsey, were ransomed while the remaining 15 survivors were conscripted into the Danish army. These are the historic events on which the Gudbrandsdal War Memorial Exhibition is based. The exhibition opened on the 5th of May 1995, and provides a unique insight into the acts of war, occupation and defence in Gudbrandsdalen.

Maihaugen offers activities and experiences for the whole family. Enjoy the idyllic surroundings and experience life like in the old days. The museum has more than 200 historic houses from as far back as the 13th Century to homes of the different decades of the 1900s, including Queen Sonja’s childhood home. Grazing animals in the open-air museum. All year you can look into historical houses and visit great exhibitions, the museum shop and café. Don't miss our popular Christmas Market in November/December.

Experience the atmosphere of beautiful Aulestad! The Nobel laureate Bjornstjerne Bjornson lived here with his family from 1875. The home is one of the best preserved artist homes in Norway. The summer of 2020 visitors can unfortunately not enter the artist home due to covid-19. You are still welcome to visit the museum. Aulestad offers a great new Bjørnson-exhitition and you will meet a guide in the garden. There is a fun exploring trail for kids there as well. Approximately 18 km from Lillehammer, follow signs from the main road E6 north of Lillehammer. From E6 take highway 225 towards Gausdal, and follow the road past the center of Follebu to Aulestad. Free parking lots by the road. There are bus connection from the train station in Lillehammer.

Kistefos offers world-class architecture, industrial history, art exhibitions and an impressive sculpture park in scenic surroundings. The sculpture park expands by one or more sculptures each year, and includes works by leading artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Fernando Botero, Marc Quinn and Anish Kapoor. The architectural masterpiece The Twist is a gallery, a bridge and a sculpture, all in one. Together with Nybruket Gallery, The Twist will host varied exhibitions of world-renowned artists. We wish you a sensory and inspiring day in scenic surroundings! Kistefos opens for the season on 23rd May 2021.

VALDRES FOLK MUSEUM The museum is one of the biggest and most beautiful open air museums in Norway. In the main building, you’ll find the information counter, a gift shop and exhibitions of folk costumes, folk art and the only exhibition of Norwegian langeleik in the country. During the winter we offer tours of the exhibitions. A guided tour last about an hour. Tours can be booked with guiding . LUNCH, DINNER OR A CUP OF COFFEE Please contact us for the menu and prices. The museum café is open all year. ITHE VALDRES MUSEUMS The Valdres Museums are leading in Norway in folk culture and non-materialistic cultural heritage. Their main focus is building preservation, folk music, instrument production and traditional folk costumes and textiles. The Valdres Museums consist of three museums and one burial place. The collection includes a total of 120 houses, 27.000 objects and 150.000 photos that form the basis for the knowledge and reflection about Valdres in the old days.

Welcome to the home of one of Norway’s great female writers. NB! In 2020 the home is not open for visitors due to covid-19. Still you can visit the museum. Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset (1882–1949) lived at Bjerkebæk with her three children. Here she wrote the medieval novels for which she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928. Enjoy a walk in the garden, where there is also a fun exploring trail for kids. Nice exhibition on Undset’s life through her many journeys. The modern visitor centre has a nice museum shop and view to the home and a beautiful garden.

Nominated for Museum of the year in 2019! Explore the thrilling exhibition Spellbound, with vikings and vistas, peaks and pioneers, mammoths and ramblers, folklore and fairytales - included the interactive Mountain Science Center. Are you up for the weather room? Or do you prefere forming your own landscape in sand and see how water changes it? Get tips for your mountain hike, buy the maps you need and sit down by the fire before you visit the mountains. The Norwegian Mountain Center is a visitor center for the national parks Jotunheimen, Reinheimen and Breheimen.

CLOSED for the winter. Opens June 2020. Sagelva Hydropower Center tells the story of how water power has been exploited for more than 300 years. The water power and the different methods of explotation are truly an unique experience! The place has a history dating back to the early 1700s. At that time there was a sawmill and a flourmill at Sagelva. Later on, a clothes press was added around 1845. Today, several different installations such as mills and saws have been restored. The restoration started in 1999, and more than 30,000 man-hours of voluntary work are put into the project. Sagelva Vasskraftsenter is located on the border between the two municipalities Lesja in Gudbrandsdalen and Rauma in Romsdalen. Follow road E 136 about 3km West of Bjorli. Then follow the signs to Broste for about 1,5km.

Visit idyllic Hadeland Folkemuseum and get a glimpse of everyday life from the past. This open air museum contains more than 30 buildings from the 17th to the 20th centuries and a burial mound from Halfdan Svarte, the old viking king. In the summertime you can walk around in our beautiful open air museum by yourself, or you can take a guided tour in the old houses or in Tingelstad old church. This medieval church dates from the 11th century A.D and has original 16th century interiors. The museum has areas for picnicking. The cafeteria is open on Saturdays and Sundays during the summerseason. In our museum gift shop you can buy souvenirs, handicraft, special art wares, beverages and ice cream. Visit Genealogy centre, open Thursdays and by appointment (not July and August).