Situated on the Bygdøy Peninsula, the Viking Ship Museum houses three 9th-century Viking ships that were excavated from ritual burial mounds in the south of Norway. Their excellent condition is due to the clay in which they were embalmed. Viking ships were used as tombs for royalty who were buried with everything they might need in their life after death. The biggest and best preserved of the ships is the Gokstad, and the finest is the Oseberg, a richly ornamented dragon ship with an intricately carved animal head post, that was the burial chamber of a Viking queen. The elegantly carved sleigh used by the Viking royalty, and a hoard of treasure was found on the buried ship and is displayed at the back of the museum. Raised platforms allow visitors to view the inside of the ship’s hulls.
Address: Huk Aveny 35, Bygdøy Peninsula; Telephone: 2213 5280; E-mail: postmottak@khm.uio.no; Website: http://www.ukm.uio.no/vikingskipshuset/english.php; Transport: Bus 30 to Bygdøy stops at the National Theatre, or ferry 91 from Pier 3 behind the City Hall (summer only); Opening time: Daily 9am to 6pm (May to September), 11am to 4pm (October to April). Closed on public holidays; Admission: 50 kr (adults), 25 kr (children); other concessions available