Hamsunsenteret

About the museum

Hamsunsenteret is located in Hamarøy, in the landscape that shaped Knut Hamsun's childhood and inspired works such as Pan, Markens grøde (Growth of the Soil) and Landstrykere (Vagabonds). The centre opened in 2009 and was designed by the American architect Steven Holl. The building, with sharp lines, light and materials that mirror Hamsun's literary universe, is regarded as an architectural gem in the nature of Northern Norway. Hamsunsenteret is part of Nordlandsmuseet (the Nordland Museum).

The exhibitions extend over several floors and cover the whole body of work, from the early novels to the more controversial sides of Hamsun's life and ideology. On the first floor there is a glass case with first editions of the books from 1877 to 1949. On the second floor, Nervenes poesi (The Poetry of the Nerves), there are listening stations and art installations by Lawrence Malstaf on Hamsun's psychological poetry. On the fourth floor the exhibition Den kontroversielle Hamsun (The Controversial Hamsun) deals with the ways in which the author was contested, and on the third floor the exhibition I lampelyset (By Lamplight) was developed together with pupils at Nord-Salten upper secondary school.

On the fifth floor there is a roof terrace with a view over the landscape. The ground floor has reception, a museum shop and bookshop, and Kafé Sult, which is named after the novel Sult (Hunger). The centre also arranges Hamsundagene (the Hamsun Days) and offers guided tours, school programmes and room rental.

Highlights

• Architecture by Steven Holl
• First editions of Hamsun's books from 1877 to 1949
• The installations Nevel (Mist) and Plexus by Lawrence Malstaf
• The exhibition Den kontroversielle Hamsun (The Controversial Hamsun)
• Roof terrace with a view over the landscape
• Kafé Sult and bookshop

Permanent exhibitions

• Overblikk I: Hamsuns liv og forfatterskap – On the first floor, first editions of Hamsun's books from 1877 to 1949 are shown together with stories of his upbringing in Nordland and his life at Nørholm.
• Nervenes poesi – Listening stations and art installations by Lawrence Malstaf show Hamsun's psychological poetry on the second floor.
• Den kontroversielle Hamsun – The exhibition on the fourth floor shows how Hamsun was contested throughout his life and up to today, and invites conversation about his significance.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Nordlandsmuseet

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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 centre is universally designed, with a lift and toilets.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From Bodø it takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes by car, from Fauske 2 hours and from Narvik 2 hours and 20 minutes including the ferry. The nearest airports are Bodø, Evenes and Svolvær.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Kafé Sult with cakes, hot and cold lunch dishes and a sunny balcony. Museum shop and bookshop on the ground floor with literature, T-shirts and Hamsun-related items. Free Wi-Fi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit