The Viking World
We call the years AD 750 to 1100 the Viking Age – 350 dynamic years when life in Scandinavia underwent fundamental change. At the centre of the exhibition stands Yggdrasil, the world tree, which was at the heart of the Viking’s mythology and the way they saw the world. The roots of the tree weave around the exhibition, leading the visitor through ten different themes. From the social structure, the different roles people played in society, travel and cultural exchange with far-off countries – via craftwork, trade, seafaring and plundering – on to the relationship between the living and the dead and the growth of the Christian faith.
2,500 original objects
The exhibition covers almost a thousand square metres. It contains 2,500 original objects and interactive stations for all the senses. Take the opportunity to explore a 12th century stave church using virtual reality, as well as interactive stations with the themes of cosmology, shipbuilding and rune carving.
Photo: Erik Lernestål and Ola Myrin, The Swedish History Museum/SHM
What to know before your visit
- Admission: Free admission for children and youth aged 0–18. See admission fees for adults.
- Cloakroom: The cloakroom is located on the entrance floor. Here you will find lockers with locks. Small bags are allowed inside the exhibition areas. If you want to store larger suitcases, you can borrow a key at the information desk for the larger lockers in the cloakroom.
- Strollers: You are allowed to bring strollers inside the museum, except in the Gold Room.
Accessibility
We strive to continuously improve our accessibility to make it easy to visit us, both on-site and digitally. There are elevators to all floors, accessible toilets on all three levels, and disabled parking close to the entrance. Guide dogs are welcome.
Get a glimpse of the exhibition The Viking World. Film production: Theodor Österberg, The Swedish History Museum/SHM
Plan your visit
Exhibition production
The exhibition is produced by a team at the National Historical Museums.
Exhibition design: Atsuko Hamanaka Brandt.
Collaboration partners and sponsor
Collaboration partners include the University of Gothenburg, Uppsala University, Stockholm University of the Arts and higher vocational education provider Xenter.
