Vigeland Sculpture Park
It’s no secret that Norway is a dream destination for travelers. It’s brimming with breathtaking scenery, one-of-a-kind experiences, natural wonders and strong Viking history. Check out the ultimate bucket list of travel ideas in the January issue of Viking magazine. Here are three more must-see places to add to your list.
See Centuries-Old Viking Ships
The Vikings were masters of the sea, and ships played a key role in Viking life. At the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, visitors can see the world’s best-preserved Viking ships and artifacts up close. The three longships were built at the height of the Viking Age. The Oseberg was an elegant oak vessel with lots of Viking-style ornamentation. After the remains were found in 1903, it took 21 years to prepare and restore the ship. The Gokstad was built around 890 A.D. and was used for Viking raids at sea. The Tune was small, fast and useful for transporting people quickly.
Three times each hour, a film plays on the museum’s vaulted ceiling that gives visitors a unique visual experience about how the ships were built. For a better view of the ships, head to the viewing platform on the balcony to marvel at the details from above. The museum is open daily.
Ride the Bergen Line
All aboard! If you’re looking to see some of Norway’s most breathtaking scenery, take a train ride on the Bergen Line. Connecting Oslo and Bergen, the seven-hour journey climbs to almost 4,000 feet above sea level and winds through 182 tunnels. It’s regarded by some as the world’s most beautiful train journey.
While traveling between Oslo and Bergen, the train makes multiple stops along the way at small villages. It’s a popular mode of transportation for tourists, not only for the main line but also for access to the Flåmsbana railway. To get an idea of what it would be like to experience a journey on the Bergen Line, check out NRK’s broadcast of the minute-by-minute “Slow TV” journey.
Explore Impressive Sculptures
Oslo is home to the world’s largest single-artist sculpture park. Vigeland Sculpture Park, located within Frogner Park, consists of a 212 works by Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. You could spend hours wandering the park’s 80 acres and admiring the sculptures, which highlight the depth and breadth of the human form and experience.
One of the park’s most notable pieces, “The Fountain,” is an installation surrounded by 20 statues, each representing a different life stage. Another key feature is “The Monolith,” situated at the highest point within the park. The sculpture is carved from a single block of granite—measuring 55 feet above ground and depicting 121 figures clinging onto and climbing around one other, working their way toward the apex. For more on Gustav Vigeland and his art, check out the December 2018 issue of Viking.