HL-senteret

About the museum

HL-senteret (the HL Centre, Senter for studier av Holocaust og livssynsminoriteter, the Centre for Studies of the Holocaust and Minorities of Belief) was established in 2001 as a foundation. The background was the collective reckoning after the destruction of Jewish families and institutions during the Second World War. The centre was to be a centre of expertise on the Holocaust and on the position of minorities of belief in Norway.

Since 2005 the centre has been located in Villa Grande on Bygdøy. The villa was built in 1917 for Sam Eide, the founder of Norsk Hydro, and Vidkun Quisling lived here during the war. After the war it was the headquarters of the Allied forces in Norway, and before the centre moved in the building was, among other things, a care and rehabilitation home. In autumn 2021 the villa was given an extension, MINO, with flexible exhibition areas, teaching rooms and a workshop.

The Holocaust exhibition tells of the fate of Norway's Jews and Roma and places the Holocaust in the context of other genocides and of today's racism and antisemitism. In addition, visitors can join a guide into the historic bunker that was built for Quisling. Villa Grande and the bunker were protected in 2005.

Key themes

• The Holocaust exhibition on Norway's Jews and Roma
• Quisling's bunker with a guided tour
• Villa Grande from 1917 with the MINO extension
• Café Villa Grande with service in the garden
• Daily guided tours from 15 May to 15 September

Permanent exhibitions

• Holocaust-utstillingen – The exhibition tells of Jews and Roma in Norway under the Nazi policy of extermination, looks at all groups of victims, at recent genocides, and at racism and antisemitism today.
• Historisk bunker – The bunker was built for Vidkun Quisling in Villa Grande during the war and can be visited with a guide.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Stiftelsen Senter for studier av Holocaust og livssynsminoriteter

Admission & discounts

Tickets are bought at reception on arrival, and there are no online ticket sales (except for events where this is stated). Free admission with Oslo Pass and for members of the friends' association.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Drive to Bygdøy and follow the signs to the HL Centre. After the Vikingskipshuset (Viking Ship Museum), follow the main road towards Huk and turn left when the tennis courts appear on the right-hand side; the gatehouse of Villa Grande is at the end of the road.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café Villa Grande is run by Sult and offers small dishes, cakes, ice cream, coffee and tea, also served in the garden. The café is closed on Mondays.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Company and conference rooms in Villa Grande are rented through Sult (booking@sult.no).

Plan your visit