Welcome to Oslo (Viken), where the fantastic Viking saga began. Among the spectacular Norwegian fjords and mountains, with glittering white winters and lush green summers, the Norse family history of the Vikings arose. From Viken, the Vikings sailed out with their boats every summer and conquered remote lands. Large cities such as Paris, Dublin, Kiev, and Constantinople (Miklagard) were looted when up to 200 ships and 5,000 men departed. The Viking warrior culture was unique in world history, and they feared nothing. If they fell in battle, they believed they would ascend to Valhalla, where they could feast and drink beer forever with the gods, King Odin, his son Thor, and Freyja.Visit the museum here!
The Viking culture
The Viking culture was one of the most brutal warrior cultures in the history of mankind. They did not fear death, and their seamanship skills allowed them to travel widely on their raids. However, at the same time, the Vikings respected each other. Women were treated almost equally to men, and sometimes they even participated in the raids. Viking women enjoyed an unusual degree of freedom for their day. They could own property, request a divorce, and reclaim their dowries if their marriages ended. Additionally, the Vikings established early law courts. All free men and women of the Vikings would gather in their communities to make laws and decide cases in a meeting called a Thing.Visit the museum here!
The great Viking enigma
The world's largest Viking discovery is the Oseberg ship in Norway. The large burial chamber behind the mast of the ship contained overwhelming treasures such as jewelry, finely carved tools, chests, etc. Some items have been preserved while others were looted by grave robbers. The woman who was buried was of royal status, and a slave woman had been sacrificed and laid beside her. However, what makes the Oseberg ship completely unique is a mysterious runic inscription. Throughout the grave, only three words were inscribed: "Little knows man." The Vikings constantly lived at the intersection of life and death due to their war culture. It is speculated whether this was the reason why they possessed knowledge of life that was unique to them. Visit the museum here!
Scary animal heads
Five animal heads were found in the Oseberg grave. The heads were crafted by different woodcarvers and convey a fearsome impression. They represent animals from Old Norse mythology, possibly Geri and Freki (Old Norse, both meaning "the ravenous" or "greedy one"), the two wolves said to accompany the god Odin, or the cats that pulled the goddess Freyja's chariot. Additionally, there are sea serpents, one of which is the Midgard Serpent, the child of Loki.Visit the museum here!
The Viking ships
The Viking ships were naval vessels designed and used for trade and commerce, exploration, and warfare during the Viking Age. The fastest ships, known as longships, could reach speeds of around 15 knots under favorable conditions. These graceful, long, narrow ships were built from lightweight wood and had a shallow draft hull. This shallow draft allowed them to navigate in waters only one meter deep, yet they were also surprisingly seaworthy and could cross oceans in stormy weather. These versatile ships made it possible for Vikings to sail to other countries and travel up rivers to raid and conquer cities deep inland.Visit the museum here!
