Tønsberg: Medieval Heritage and Viking Ships

Tønsberg appeals to travelers who want to discover medieval history in different places: the cathedral, church ruins, and museum each offer their own historical highlights, while ships at the quayside and art at Haugar Art Museum add further points of interest. Slottsfjellsmuseet is in the center, at the foot of Slottsfjell. The ruins of Tunsberghus are visible on Slottsfjell. The medieval town of Tønsberg and Slottsfjellet are among Norway’s most important medieval cultural heritage areas.

Medieval Traces in the City

Tønsberg Cathedral was built in 1858 over the ruins of an 11th-century basilica dedicated to the archdeacon St. Laurentius. Its furnishings include pieces from Lavranskyrka and the medieval Mariakirke. This brings together the 19th-century building and furnishings from older churches in the cathedral.

The ruins of Olavskirken are also among the city’s historical sites. Olavskirken was Norway’s only round church; its ruins are preserved today. They are in the city center, opposite Tønsberg Library. Along with the visible ruins of Tunsberghus on Slottsfjell, they show different facets of the medieval heritage that distinguish Tønsberg and Slottsfjellet.

Slottsfjellsmuseet complements these sites with exhibitions about the Middle Ages and the history of Tønsberg. Those interested in the city’s history can pair a museum visit with a visit to its historic buildings and ruins. The specific exhibition program may change.

Viking Ships in the Museum and at the Quayside

Norway’s fourth Viking ship, the Klåstad trading ship, is on display in the Viking Hall at Slottsfjellsmuseet. It is the only surviving Viking ship on display outside Oslo. At the quayside in Tønsberg, at Vikingodden, you can instead see replicas: Saga Oseberg and Saga Farmann, replicas of the Oseberg and Klåstad ships. They are there year-round, except when they are out sailing. This distinguishes a trading ship displayed in a museum from two ship replicas at different locations in Tønsberg. Check the latest information about the display before visiting the museum.

Art, Nature, and Activities

Haugar Art Museum features permanent and current art exhibitions. Throughout the year, the museum also offers various events and activities for people of all ages. Exhibitions and programs may change; check the latest information to help you plan.

Ilene Nature Reserve shows another side of the city: it is a 90-hectare Ramsar site. For paddling trips in Tønsberg, the city directs visitors to UT.no. Route availability and water conditions may vary; check them before planning your trip.

Visitor Information

At the service center in Tønsberg City Hall, visitors can get tips and information about experiences in Tønsberg, Nøtterøy, and Tjøme, as well as brochures. The address is Halfdan Wilhelmsens allé 1c, 3104 Tønsberg. As visitor services may change, it is a good idea to check the latest information before your visit.

A Broader Look at Vestfold

The wider destination of Vestfold offers additional nature and cultural heritage highlights. Færder National Park is a skerry landscape shaped by the immense ice masses of the Ice Age. Its 340 square kilometers include mainland, islands, reefs, and seabed in Færder Municipality. Mølen in Vestfold is Norway’s largest pebble beach and part of the terrain left behind by the last Ice Age about 10,000 years ago. The cultural landscape there also includes 230 Stone Age cairns. Migratory birds visit Mølen twice a year as they travel north in spring and south again in autumn. These regional highlights complement the medieval sites and maritime history that define Tønsberg itself.

Discover more destinations: Tønsberg, Tolvsrød, Andebu, Stokke, Nøtterøy, Lardal, Sande, Horten

For the broader travel overview: Vestfold.