A selection of Norwegian War Museums

Near Haugesund

Arguebus History of War Museum

The museum shows the varied aspects of war history: every day life of civilians, seamen at war, the invasion in 1940, the Resistance Movement and the German coastal defences. Sign-posted from E134

Telephone: (+47) 52 77 01 00.
Website: http://www.museumsnett.no/arquebus/sider/generlet.htm

In Kristiansand

Stiftelsen Arkivet (The Archive Foundation)

The Arkivet Foundation is a center for information, documentation, education, research, art and culture. The Foundation building served as the Gestapo regional headquarters from 1941- 45. The basement became infamous as a detention and interrogation centre. The Foundation took over the vacated building in 1999 and recreated the cells and torture chambers. To illustrate the terrible events that took place here, life-sized models of people and realistic copies of equipment are on display. By promoting dialogue, historical reflection and communication among different generations, the Archive Foundation aims to promote human rights, human dignity, peace building and conflict prevention.

Telephone: 38 10 74 00 Telefax: 38 10 74 07

E-mail: kontakt@stiftelsen-arkivet.no
Website: http://www.stiftelsen-arkivet.no/stiftelsen

Bergen

Theta-Museum

The Theta Group was in operation for two years: 1940-42. Its members were young people between the ages of 19 and 22. Their aim was to maintain contact with England.
The group worked from the center of Bergen. In 1981 it was decided that the headquarters of the group should be reconstructed and opened to the public. The exhibition shows the office as it was when the Germans discovered and destroyed it in 1942.

Bredsgården 1D, 5003 Bergen (Bryggen)
Telephone55 55 20 80 Telefax 55 55 20 99
Email postmaster@stiftelsenbryggen.no
Website: http://www.museum.../2_verdskrig_theta.html

Not far from Bodø

Blodveimuseet (The Bloodroad museum) – Saltdal museum

During the war, tens of thousand prisoners of war were transported to Nordland to build roads for the Germans. They were housed in 54 prison camps. The work was back-breaking, the treatment they received brutal, and many thousand died. Three of the roads in this community are named ‘Roads of Blood’. Few traces of the camps remained after the war, so the focus of the museum is the tragic, but important history of the hapless victims.

Tel.: 75690660 / 75521640
Website:
http://www.museumsnett.no/saltdalmuseum/Saltdal%20museum/Blodveimuseet/presentasjon.ht ml

Eidsvoll okkupasjonsmuseum (Occupation museum)

The main focus of the museum is to show how the occupation, and the resultant resistance, affected the civilians of Eidsvoll and, for most of them, changed their way of life.

Open: June, July and August.
Eidsvoll Tel.: 66 10 71 11/ 63 96 05 05
Website: http://www.eidsvoll.museum.no/html-filer/okkupasjonsmuseet.htm

Levanger, not far from Trondheim

Falstad Center/ Memorial and Human rights center

Falstad was an infamous prison for military and political prisoners during the occupation. About 4500 prisoners from 13 nations were housed here. After the war, Falstad was used as a prison for NS members.
The nearby Falstad woods was the scene of many executions and is now a protected war memorial
Falstad was one of many prison camps that the Germans established throughout Norway and was the second largest after Grini. As at Grini, many of the prisoners were sent to concentration camps in Germany
.
Tel.: 7402 8040 Fax: 7402 8041
Website: http://www.falstadsenteret.no/
e-mail: post@falstadsenteret.no

Oslo

Forsvarsmuseet (Defense Museum)

The Defence Museum illustrates the history of Norwegian defence from the Middle-ages until after the second world war. The exhibitions show how defense, military thought and the reality of war are closely allied to technological, economic and political development.
The museum is situated within the walls of Akershus Fortress, overlooking the Oslofjord.

Tel.: 23 09 35 70 Fax: 23 09 31 90

Website: http://www.mil.no/felles/fmu/start/;jsessionid=RGN5VENN5JW0JQFIZYGSFEQ?_requestid =721083

Oslo

Forsvarets flysamling på Gardemoen (Aircraft Museum at Gardermoen).

The military aircraft collection at Gardermoen comprises more than 30 machines that give a unique viewpoint of Norwegian military aviation in war and peace. Exhibits include Norway’s first aircraft ‘Start’ and irreplaceable objects from the Second World War.

Telephone: 63 92 86 60
Website: http://www.flysamlingen.museum.no/
e-mail:office@flysamlingen.museum.no

Hammerfest

Gjenreisningsmuseet for Finnmark og Nord-Troms

(The reconstruction museum for Finnmark and Nord-Troms)
Our exhibits portray the dramatic events of the 2nd. World War: forced evacuation, destruction and reconstruction, and shows how the inhabitants built their new homes by optimism, belief in the future and strength of will. In 1944 the ‘scorched earth’ policy of the Germans and the forced evacuation of the population left Finnmark and Nord-Troms desolated. When peace came, the authorities tried to hinder the return of the population but people ignored the order – and the danger from mines – to start rebuilding their homes.

Telephone: +47 78 40 29 30
e-mail: post@gjenreisningsmuseet.no
Website: http://www.museumsnett.no/gjenreisningsmuseet/index.html

Askøy near Bergen

Herdla Museum

The Herdla museum is a culture and war museum that opened in 1955. The basic exhibits are: The establishment of Herdla, Herdla Church and the second world war. The museum has several films with both English and German text. Herdla is about 43 kms from Bergen – on good roads.
Telephone: 56 14 51 50
e-mail: herdla.museum@askoy.kommune.no
Website: http://www.museumsnett.no/herdlamuseum/info.html

Kristiansand

Kanonmuseum (Cannon Museum)

Welcome to the Kristiansand Cannon Museum – the "Vara Battery". Here you will find the world's second largest cannon ever to be mounted on land. The reason why these gigantic cannons came to Møvik was that with the occupation of Norway and Denmark in 1940, the Germans needed to guard the Skagerak shipping lanes. The 38 cm cannons here and at Hanstholm in Denmark – the shortest distance across the Skagerak – about 116 kms, were manufactured in Germany at the Krupp works in Essen in 1940. They are of the same type that were installed on the battleships ‘Bismarck’ and ‘Tirpitz’.

Telephone: 38 08 50 90 Mobile: 91 34 39 38
E-post: Post@kanonmuseet.no
Website: http://www.kanonmuseet.no/?node_id=1&menu_id=1

Frei kommune, Nordmøre.

Kvalvik Fortress

Welcome to Kvalvik Fortress, one of the best-preserved coastal defence fortresses from the 2nd World War. Here you can discover an important part of our history by examining the buildings, the installations, the information placards and the periodic special exhibitions. Guided tours may be arranged by contacting the Culture Office.
The fortress is best approached via Kristiansund.
e-mail: post@kvalvikfort.no

Website: http://www.kvalvikfort.no/?div_id=1&pag_id=1

Svolvær

Lofoten Krigsminnemuseum.(Lofoten War Memorial Museum)

The background for the Lofoten Krigsminnemuseum is the Allied raid on Lofoten on March 4, 1941. This is considered to be the first raid of any size here in Norway and the first setback for Hitler. After the raid, the Germans fortified the area and constructed more bunkers per square meter than anywhere else in Norway. The museum is located in the old Post Office close to the Coastal Steamer pier in Svolvær center.

Tel.: 91 73 03 28

Open in the summer months.

Website: http://www.lofotenkrigmus.no/omuseet.htm

Narvik

Nordland Red Cross Museum

The museum is owned and operated by the Nordland District of the Norwegian Red Cross. The exhibition shows the Narvik Campaign of 1940, and the daily life of the civil population during the war. The Narvik Campaign was fought at sea, on land and in the air with participating forces from many nations – including the French Foreign Legion. Especially moving is the exhibit showing the conditions that prisoners of war had to endure. There is a fine collection of vehicles, and an expansion of the museum is in the works.

Postboks 513
8507 NARVIK
Tel : + 47 76 94 44 26
Fax: + 47 76 94 45 60
e-mail: kmmu@warmuseum.no

Bodø

Norsk Luftfartsmuseum (Norwegian Aviation Museum)

Norsk Luftfartsmuseum is the Norwegian national museum of aviation, and the largest of its kind in the Nordic countries.
At the museum, everyone can see for themselves what happened when Man took the leap to the skies. It certainly did not happen without drama.
The museum presents the foremost knowledge on Norwegian aviation history. You will find aircraft here, of course, but also stories, experiences and many other exciting things. The museum is centrally located in Bodø, approximately on the site of the German airport during the war.

Olav V gate, Bodø.
Telephone: +47 75 50 78 50
Website: http://www.luftfart.museum.no/

Rjukan

Norsk industriarbeider museum (Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum)

The museum is located in the old Vemork hydroelectric power station. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, this impressive building serves as a monument to the history of Norwegian industry.
The power station was completed in 1911, and was then thought to be the world's biggest. It supplied power to the Rjukan saltpeter works and, after 1929, to the Vemork hydrogen factory.

During the Second World War, Vemork became an Allied target. It was essential to block German research into atomic fission by halting the production of heavy water at Vemork. The ‘Atomkappløpet’ (Race for the Atom) exhibit describes the dramatic events surrounding this all-important chapter of the war.

Telephone: 35 09 90 00 Telefax: 35 09 90 01
E-mail: post@nia.vemork.no
Website: http://www.visitvemork.com/dnn/Hjem/tabid/87/Default.aspx

Oslo

Norges Hjemmefrontsmuseum (Norway's Resistance Museum)

Norway's Resistance Museum is housed in an old protected building in Akershus Castle Oslo, adjoining the memorial at the spot where Norwegian patriots were executed by the Germans during the second world war.
The museum was established in 1966 as an independent foundation. It is the leading Norwegian institution concerned with the history of the occupation. Through its exhibitions, archives and library, the museum aims to “give a true and living picture of the tragedy and humiliation suffered by its people when a nation is occupied.” If you only have time to visit one museum in Norway – make sure you visit the Norwegian Resistance Museum.

Building 21, Akershus Fortress:
Tel.: 23 09 32 80 (Office) 23 09 31 38 (Bookings)
Website: http://www.mil.no/felles/nhm/start/;jsessionid=RGN5VENN5JW0JQFIZYGSFEQ?_requestid=720070

Near Oslo

Oscarsborg festningsmuseum (Oscarsborg Fortress Museum)

Oscarsborg Fortress’ location, in the middle of the Oslofjord narrows, is a natural defensive position. The fortress has guarded the entrance to Christiania and Oslo for centuries. Oscarsborg became an icon to Norway’s freedom because of the events during the early hours of April 9 1940 when Col. Eriksen and his men sank the German cruiser ‘Blücher’. This courageous action was the single most important reason that the Royal Family and Government were able to escape the clutches of the invading forces.

Oscarsborg Festningsmuseum
1443 Oscarsborg

Tel.: 64 90 42 60 Fax: 64 90 42 62

Website: http://www.mil.no/felles/ofm/start/;jsessionid=RGN5VENN5JW0JQFIZYGSFEQ?_requestid=721404

Sola near Stavanger

Rogaland Krigshistorisk(War) Museum

The Rogaland Krigshistoriske Museum is located in the old military facility at Sola. The museum documents and advises on local military and civil events during the 2nd. World War. The exhibition comprises equipment, texts, photographs and a diorama plus a large collection of military vehicles.

Open: April - November: Sun 12.00-16.00
Tel.: 51 65 09 90
E-mail: krmedia@netpower.no
Website:http://www.rkm.no.com

Oslo

Senter for studier av Holocaust og livssynsminoriteter(HL Senter)
(The Center for Studies of Holocaust and Religious Minorities)

The HL Center is housed in the Villa Grande on the Bygdøy peninsula, a short bus or boat trip from Oslo center. Vidkun and Marie Quisling lived here during the war and re-named the house Gimle.
The Center presents a modern exhibition on the Holocaust. Images, sounds, film, items and text document the genocide of the European Jews, as well as the Nazi State’s mass murder and persecution of other peoples and minorities.

Closed Mondays
Telephone: 22 84 21 00 Telefax: 22 84 21 01
Website: http://www.hlsenteret.no/
e-mail: post@hlsenteret.no

Trondheim

Rustkammeret

The Rustkammer in Trondheim is one of the oldest museums in Norway. Beside the imposing Cathedral is the Archbishop’s Manor and here, in the loft above the Rustkammer (Armorial chamber), is the Home Front’s section of the defence museum. One can follow the course of the war from the first days in April to the final drama. From placards, tableaux, audio recording and diorama the story of oppression, resistance, sabotage and the daily life of the city is unfolded.

Opening Times:
Daily June l –August 31
Mon – Fri 0900 - 1500
Sat – Sun 1100 - 1600

Telephone: 73 99 52 80/81/82/83