A replica of the Oseberg ship found on the island of Vestfold in Norway.
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The Viking Age is perhaps the best-known period in Norwegian history, and there are few better places to discover it than Vestfold, on the western side of the Oslofjord.
Over 1,000 years ago, Norway’s Oslofjord was home to a thriving community of farmers, traders, shipbuilders and sailors.
Dotted here are numerous archaeological sites and monuments, from burial mounds to stone monuments, each telling part of the story of this fascinating era.
The area’s museums provide insight into Viking craftsmanship, culture and maritime expeditions.
Vestfold not only offers a glimpse into Viking life through these historical ruins, but also shows how the region was an important maritime base during the Viking Age, influencing trade routes across Northern Europe.
Bole Tombs
The main attraction of the region from a historical point of view is undoubtedly the Bole Tombs.
This monumental cemetery dates from the Late Iron Age to the Viking Age and contains several large burial mounds and stone platforms. The site is thought to have been a royal burial site, reflecting the power and influence of the local chieftains and kings who ruled the region.
Borre is the most important Viking Age cemetery in Scandinavia.
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Archaeological excavations have uncovered a wealth of artefacts, including ornate jewellery, weapons and tools, and have provided valuable insights into Viking craftsmanship, social hierarchy and burial practices.
Recent discoveries include a buried hall building, a possible prehistoric harbour and a possible Viking Age ship burial. These finds, uncovered by advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology, are revealing increasingly insights into the site’s historical importance.
Today the mound is part of Bore National Park and features walking trails and information signs allowing visitors to explore and learn about the historical significance of the area.
Midgard Viking Center
Borre’s historical importance is so great that it was the perfect location for the Midgard Viking Centre, an interactive museum dedicated to the Viking era.
It features exhibits about Viking history, culture and daily life, and the center even includes a recreation of a Viking banquet hall.
From early July to early August, the center hosts “Viking Summer,” a family-friendly “living history” event where an outdoor Viking-era village is recreated, and participants teach visitors about their crafts, tools, and products. The center’s emphasis on authenticity makes it a great way for the whole family to learn about the era.
The Midgard Viking Festival, held in midsummer, takes things to the next level, bringing merchants, warriors, artisans, musicians and more into the Viking era over three days.
Viking ship in Tonsberg
Discovered in 1893 and excavated in 1970, the Klaastad Merchant Ship is a shipwreck, not a burial site. Its remains take centre stage at Slottsfjell Museum in Tønsberg, where exhibits detail the history of trade, social development and innovation during the Viking Age.
A replica of the ship, named Saga Farman, was built by the Oseberg Viking Heritage Foundation and launched in 2018.
“Saga Farman” visits Istanbul in 2023 to recreate historical Viking era trade routes.
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With a desire to use the replica for longer voyages, the team opted to equip the vessel with a modern electric motor. In 2023, the Saga Farman set sail from Tønsberg to Istanbul to recreate the historical trade route.
Project manager Lars Bill told Science Norway that the Vikings were great innovators: “There should be no conflict between the new and the old, as long as there is respect.”
The museum also tells the story of the Oseberg ship, which was discovered in an ancient burial mound just a few miles from Tønsberg.
In Tønsberg harbour, the Saga Oseberg is a full-scale replica of the Oseberg ship, built between 2010 and 2012 using only Viking-age tools and techniques. In high season, experienced guides are on hand from Thursday to Saturday to share their shipbuilding knowledge.
More Viking excitement in Sandefjord
Sandefjord is the closest town to Gokstahaugen, the burial mound where the world-famous Gokstad ship was discovered in 1879.
Today, the waterfront Sandefjord Viking Park is home to a display of Viking-age artefacts, including the construction of a replica Gokstad ship, and activities usually take place from Wednesday to Saturday.
