Gestapomuseet
Digital experience centre in Bergen's former Gestapo headquarters, with four preserved prison cells and accounts of the war and the post-war trials.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Gestapomuseet is located on the fourth floor of a building erected in 1940 for Bergen Haandværk- og Industriforening, designed by the architect Ole Landmark in neoclassical style. After the German occupation the building was taken into use as the occupying power's headquarters for Western Norway. The German security police had offices and a house prison in the upper floors, and over 3,000 prisoners, most of them from resistance groups, passed through the building during the war. After the war the cells were used as holding cells for prisoners charged with treason (landssvik) and for war criminals until around 1949.
The core of the museum is the four preserved prison cells, with about 220 inscriptions that the prisoners scratched into the walls, both during and after the war. The cells are open to visitors, who can see the inscriptions up close and hear the prisoners' own accounts. Interactive screens follow the paths of individual prisoners from Bergen via German camps and back home again, and instruments of torture used in Bergen are on display.
The exhibitions also address Nazi ideology, women's role in the war, the resistance on Western Norway and the post-war trials. The museum is owned and run by Stiftelsen Lenken and is aimed particularly at school pupils. It is suitable for young people over 13 and for adults.
Key themes
- Four preserved prison cells with about 220 inscriptions
- The prisoners' own accounts on digital screens
- Exhibition on women in the war and on the post-war trials
- Authentic instruments of torture from Bergen
- Memorial at the building
Permanent exhibitions
- Fangecellene – Four preserved cells where prisoners scratched personal messages into the walls, with sound from hidden loudspeakers.
- Kvinner i krig – Exhibition on women's role during the war and in the post-war trials.
- Digitale fortellinger om fangene – Interactive screens that follow the prisoners' paths through the occupation and the camps.
- Operated by
- Stiftelsen Lenken
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 120 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 60Students |
| Children & teens | freeChildren have free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | NOK 60 |
| Groups | –Group visits by arrangement. |
Adult ticket from age 19.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is on the fourth floor. There is a lift from the entrance at Veiten 3.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 13+
The museum is suitable for young people over 13 and for adults.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking in Klostergarasjen, which has an exit right by the museum.
The museum is centrally located in Bergen, near Den Nationale Scene and Torgallmenningen. Lift from the entrance at Veiten 3.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Entrance from Christian Michelsens gate 10; ring the doorbell marked “Gestapomuseet”. The museum staff are happy to answer questions. School visits and group visits must be booked in advance. |
