Viking summer at Stiklestad

– An unforgettable experience for the whole family

Are you dreaming of a different Norwegian holiday for both young and old this year? A place where children can fight with swords and shields, hear exciting stories about the Norse gods and have fun in Viking adventures on an idyllic medieval farm? Then you should make a trip to Stiklestad National Cultural Center this summer.

Every summer the area is bustling with life. With lively, family-friendly storytelling, you will experience a different time. Here you can actively participate and explore at your own pace. At Stiklestad, you can get great pleasure from a couple of hours and even more from a couple of days.

What exactly is Stiklestad?

Many have heard the name, but not everyone knows what Stiklestad actually is. Stiklestad is located in Verdal in Trøndelag, an hour and a half north of Trondheim. It is known as the site of the Battle of Stiklestad in the year 1030. This battle has had a great impact on Norwegian history and the story of Olav the Saint.

Today, Stiklestad is a national cultural center and one of Norway's most important historical destinations. Here, history, culture and experiences meet – in the middle of a beautiful Trøndelag cultural landscape.

During Viking Summer, history comes alive at Stiklastadir Medieval Farm. Throughout the day, there are regular activities, storytelling sessions and guided tours. In addition, it is never good to know what can happen during a day in the yard. The farm's people work here, taking care of both the house and the animals. If the neighbor has brought a leg of lamb or the children have gathered herbs, don't ignore the fact that something is being prepared for a long-distance traveler either.

A few stones throws further down the hill is the Folk Museum. After spending a few hours at the end of the 900th century, it can be exciting to move forward in time. The Folk Museum in Stiklestad consists of over thirty buildings in a charming landscape. Here you can go on a journey of discovery among buildings that house life, crafts and history from the 1700th to the 1900th centuries. At the Folk Museum you will find, among other things, a play barn, a toy shop, a pleasant café and a living farmyard with an old tractor and clucking chickens.

More than a museum

One of the things that makes Viking Summer so special is that you get to participate yourself. At Stiklestad you can try archery, axe throwing, play the battle between the peasant army and the king's army, explore the area in Viking clothing and join us in the large longhouse. Here you can experience the time when the chieftains ruled from their mighty guild halls. In other houses on the farm, stories about the Middle Ages are told, the time when the Christian kings and the church were in power.

Stiklestad National Cultural Center is not a traditional museum. Here you can smell the fire and wood. You can hear the sounds of grunting pigs, swords against shields and laughter from children running between the houses. The presenters tell stories in a way that makes adults, young people and children feel like they are in the old days. Maybe you also dare to join in the burial mound - a recreation of a Viking funeral? Or see the exciting story of Thor who lost his hammer?

For many children, this becomes the highlight of the summer holidays.

"Why haven't we been here before? What a gem! It was the perfect family day out! The kids loved it and ran around for hours. We wish we had another day, because there was so much to see and do. We'll be back!" 

                                                                       – Expatriate residents of Trøndelag with children aged 3, 5 and 8 years

The experiences are designed to be educational and fun. There are no expectations of prior knowledge, so come with a relaxed attitude. We have knowledgeable presenters who are more than happy to give you a deeper insight into how people in the Viking Age and the Middle Ages lived.

Perfect stop on your Norway holiday

If you are going on holiday in Trøndelag or driving north through Norway, Stiklestad is a perfect stop. Many people visit the area as a day trip from Trondheim, while others choose to stay overnight at a hotel, campsite or cabin nearby before continuing their journey.

Viking Summer is open every day from June 20 to August 2, with activities from 11 a.m. to 16 p.m. This makes it easy to fit your visit into your summer plans – whether you want to be here for a few hours, a day or two.

The area also features exhibitions, café Molåna, Restaurant Skalden and hotel Scandic Stiklestad. There are plenty of opportunities to take a break and eat well between activities.

A summer experience a little out of the ordinary

There are many things to do with children in Norway during the summer. But few places combine play, history and real experiences like Viking Summer at Stiklestad does.

Here children can use their imagination. Here adults can learn something new without it feeling like a lesson. And here the whole family can experience a place that has left its mark on Norwegian history for almost a thousand years.

Perhaps that is precisely why so many people return home from Stiklestad with the feeling of having been on something more than just an ordinary day trip.

Plan your summer Viking adventure at Stiklestad.no.