Rosala Vikingacentrum

About the museum

Rosala Vikingacentrum began as a Viking village in 1992. Inspired by the archaeological excavations at Kyrksundet, the first reconstructed Viking building was built, the longhouse Farmansgården, and since then several buildings and reconstructions have been added. The centre is a museum and visitor centre that tells the story of the Viking Age (AD 800–1050) in the archipelago and in Finland.

In the village there are, among other things, the chieftain’s hall Rodeborg, the longhouse Farmansgården, a smithy and a herb garden. Two Viking ships lie in the village: Alvilda, a reconstruction modelled on the Oseberg ship, and Hogland, a smaller ship modelled on the Lapuri find, depicting a chieftain’s burial ship. Visitors can dress in Viking-age clothing and try activities such as axe throwing.

The exhibitions show finds from Kyrksundet, including a heavy beard axe, a sword fitting with silver inlay and a bronze key pendant, as well as weapons, musical instruments and crafts from the Viking Age. The centre is owned and run by Rosala Vikingacentrum Ab, and the admission fees go towards maintaining and developing the exhibitions.

Highlights

• Reconstructed Viking village with the chieftain’s hall Rodeborg
• Finds from the excavations at Kyrksundet
• The Viking ships Alvilda and Hogland
• The weapons museum and the exhibition on crafts and instruments
• Café Vindrosen and museum shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Skärgårdens och Nordens vikingatida historia – The exhibition in the entrance building presents the excavations at Kyrksundet, a miniature of the Vikings’ harbour and trading place, a timeline and a diorama of a Viking’s life and religious beliefs.
• Vapenmuseet – Exhibition of Viking-age weapons and battle equipment.
• Hantverk och instrument – Musical instruments from the Viking Age, a reconstructed loom with craft materials and a cast of the runestone fragment from Stora Ängesön.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Rosala Vikingacentrum Ab

Admission & discounts

Admission €8 / €4. Admission includes a short introductory guided tour, a video show of about 15 minutes, a guide map of the Viking village and activities to try on your own in the village.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The free car ferry runs year-round from Kasnäs to Rosala (about 30 minutes); the centre is about 5 km from the ferry landing. Taxi boats call at the village quay, and those with their own boat can moor at the village quay about 200 m from the centre or at the guest harbour about 2 km away.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Vindrosen and museum shop in the entrance building; lunch is served in the café and in the chieftain’s hall.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The chieftain’s hall Rodeborg can be used for parties, guild gatherings, conferences and weddings; bed and breakfast is available for private guests and groups.

Plan your visit