The Slottsfjells Museum

The Slottsfjells Museum offers an exhibition on the Middle Ages, "The history of Tønsberg city" both in the museum and in the Slottfjell Tower on top of the hill, "Svend Foyn and Tønsberg", the Whale Hall and its whale skeletons and the Viking Hall with Norway's four preserved Viking ships and the history of the Oseberg find. From the Vestfold courtyard at Tallak you will see old buildings of Vestfold. The Slottsfjells Museum welcomes you to the museum and Castle Cafe.

The Slottsfjell museum

In the middle of Tønsberg in beautiful surroundings you find the Slottsfjell museum. The museum and the area around it, is a cultural heritage site that represent the city’s long history. The castle ruins show the remains of one of Scandinavia’s largest medieval castles.

The Viking hall

In the museums Viking hall, you will find Norway’s fourth Viking ship; this is the only preserved ship which is placed outside of Oslo. Adding to that is the story of the Oseberg findings, the grave with Europe’s biggest Viking discoveries which was found only 3 km north of Tønsberg’s city center.

Medieval exhibitions

The museum has several medieval exhibits, focusing on the life of kings, nobles, clergy and the common people in medieval Norway. Here you can learn about King Haakon Haakonsson, the civil war era in Norway, and much more.

The Whale hall

This exhibition shows a variety of whale skeletons, caught by whalers in the late 19th and early 20th century. The centerpiece of this exhibit is our blue whale; the world largest animal, approx. 27 meters long and weighing around 150 ton. Our specimen is the biggest preserved blue whale skeleton we know of today. Adjacent to the whale hall is an exhibit about Svend Foyn, a whaling pioneer from Tønsberg.

Vestfold farmyard and world war two bunker

At the foot of the hill, there is a collection of farmhouses from around the county, with the oldest dating from the early 15th century. Here you will also find a charming café. The entrance to the world war two bunker is located next to the café. The bunker was built during the German occupation of Norway from 1940 to 1945 and served as a bomb shelter and ammunition storage.

Guided tours of the museum

Guided tour during the museums opening hours on weekdays (45 minutes): 1 750 NOK + a 70 NOK per person entrance fee

Guided tour outside the museums opening hours on weekdays before 9:00 pm (45 minutes): 2 000 NOK + a 70 NOK per person entrance fee

Guided tour during the weekend before 9:00 pm (45 minutes): 2 700 NOK + a 70 NOK per person entrance fee

Guided tour during the museums opening hours on weekdays, optional inside and/or outside (1.5 hours): 3 000 NOK + a 70 NOK per person entrance fee

Guided tour outside the museum opening hours on weekdays before 9:00, optional inside and/or outside (1.5 hours): 3 500 NOK + a 70 NOK per person entrance fee.

Guided tour during the weekend before 9:00 pm, optional inside and/or outside (1.5 hours): 4 000 NOK + a 70 NOK per person entrance fee.

There is an additional 500 NOK fee on guided tours in English. Other requests may add further costs.

For educational institutions outside of Vestfold, contact the museum for prices.

Welcome to the Slottsfjell museum!