Emanuel Vigelands Museum
Mausoleum and museum at Slemdal with the frescoes “Vita” over 800 square metres and bronze figures by Emanuel Vigeland.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Emanuel Vigeland (1875–1948) began building the museum at his home in Slemdal in 1926, and it was completed in 1928, although work on the interior continued for many years. He designed the building himself, down to the smallest detail, and at first conceived it as a studio that could become a museum for his art after his death. In autumn 1942 he walled up the windows, and the building became a burial chamber. His ashes are in an urn in the wall above the door, and he called the place Tomba Emmanuelle.
Together the frescoes “Vita” cover over 800 square metres in a dark, barrel-vaulted room. They depict human life from conception to death, with hundreds of nude figures, and are marked by strongly erotic scenes. The lighting is kept as dim as possible so that the images gradually emerge as the eyes adjust to the darkness. Large groups of bronze figures repeat the walls' homage to the mystery of procreation.
The museum opened to the public on 8 December 1959 and is run by a foundation established in 1958. The family ran the museum until 1999. The room has unusual acoustics with a reverberation of about 20 seconds and is regularly hired out for concerts.
Highlights
- The frescoes “Vita” over 800 square metres
- Mausoleum designed by the artist himself
- Large bronze figures
- Unusual acoustics with a reverberation of about 20 seconds
- Concerts in the mausoleum
Permanent exhibition
- Vita – The frescoes over 800 square metres in the dark mausoleum show human life from conception to death, together with large groups of bronze figures.
- Founded
- 1959
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 140 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 90Students and seniors/concessions (honnør) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children under 18 enter free of charge. |
| Seniors | NOK 90 |
| Students & apprentices | NOK 90 |
| Visits outside opening hours (guided tour on request), plus admission | NOK 1,800Requests are sent by email |
Tickets can be bought in advance via LetsReg.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Slemdal stasjon · 7-min walk
Metro line 1 (towards Frognerseteren) to Slemdal station, then about 7 minutes' walk; or bus 46 to Grimelundsveien, then about 5 minutes' walk.
By car
Parking available
Parking along Frognerseterveien.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The mausoleum is regularly hired out for concerts because of its unusual acoustics.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits outside opening hours and guided tours are booked by email (booking@emanuelvigeland.museum.no). The frescoes contain explicit erotic scenes. |
