The Viking Museum: Where Viking myth meets truth

Although the Viking era ended long ago, Stockholm’s dedicated Viking Museum continues to grow, evolve and attract. It’s the ideal place to learn more about this historical epoch, and a fantastic destination to feed curiosity.

Recent years have seen a spike in the general interest in Vikings. This is hardly surprising, considering the wave of Viking-themed TV shows, films and games that have been released. For the Viking Museum, this is great from an awareness and diversity point of view, as the demand for Viking knowledge comes from all different directions.

“Of course we welcome children who are learning about Vikings in school, but we also have visitors from all over the world who are simply curious about this mythical period in Scandinavian history,” explains Anne Charlotte Ytter, museum director.

Raids, journeys and ship building

So, who were the Vikings? Were they brutal, vicious looters, or is there more to their story? Paying a visit to the Viking Museum provides a thorough introduction to the Viking era, told in innovative and interactive ways. You will meet the Vikings through films, scenery, projections and sound effects, as well as archaeological objects.

There are guided tours available throughout the day in both Swedish and English, led by the museum’s knowledgeable guides. Dressed in Viking gear to look the part, the guides will answer any questions and share their specialised expertise. The Norse mythology is present everywhere, and the museum’s many replicas allow visitors to explore life as a Viking with all their senses, and learn about raids, journeys, mastery in ship building, as well as everyday life at the farm.

For an even deeper dive into the world of Vikings, visitors are invited to experience Ragnfrid’s Saga. This 11-minute long adventure ride begins at Frösala Farm, where Ragnfrid and her husband Harald are introduced. Visitors are then taken on a remarkable trip to witness plundering in the west and slave trade in the east. Ragnfrid herself narrates the saga, with a little help from sound effects, lighting and atmospheric sceneries.

The eastern route and the Vikings as a brand

“The Viking era is an important and interesting part of Scandinavian history,” says Ytter. “It’s a definitive time in history, a time when the Scandinavian countries were formed and when Sweden began the process of uniting under one King and one religion.” The museum is in constant development, as ongoing research and discoveries within archaeology and history are integrated into its exhibitions, information and trivia. “It’s important for a museum to grow in line with society, and we strive to do exactly that.”

Speaking of change, there are two new exhibitions in the pipeline. At the end of March, the Viking Museum will present a deep-dive into the Vikings’ eastern route. “Most people don’t know that many Vikings actually travelled east, on rivers through Russia and Ukraine, and as far as Baghdad in Iraq,” explains the museum director. “It’s an exciting and relatively unknown part of Viking history.”

This summer, the museum will open an exhibition in collaboration with journalist and film critic Göran Ewerdahl, themed around the Vikings as a brand and how Vikings have been portrayed in TV series, films and games. “The term Vikings didn’t exist back then, so they wouldn’t have identified themselves as such,” Ytter says humourously. “It will be fun to take a closer look at the myth about the big and strong man versus the more comic take with a silly Viking figure.”

Shop, eat and drink like a Viking

The museum’s shop is well worth a visit too. It’s a trove of unique goods, including local handicraft and souvenirs produced by the museum itself. Everything is selected with care, adding to the overall experience of exploring the lives of Vikings.

Hungry for more? Head to the museum’s own restaurant Glöd, which boasts stunning views over Stockholm. It offers typical Scandinavian food in the form of simple dishes, like salads and sandwiches, and à la carte. “Of course, you can also try mead, the Vikings’ favourite drink,” says Ytter. “We’ve developed our own product together with a local brewery, and we offer mead tastings here at the museum,” she adds. There are also traditional Swedish cinnamon buns and coffee for those who fancy something sweet.

Ready to stand face to face with a Viking? Then steer your ship towards Stockholm and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Vikings.

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