Jektefartsmuseet

About the museum

Jektefartsmuseet tells the story of jekt shipping, which for several hundred years linked Northern Norway to Bergen and the rest of Europe through the trade in stockfish. The exhibition is built around “Anna Karoline”, the world's only originally preserved Nordland jekt. The jekt was built in 1876 at Brataker in Mosvik and was initially fitted with a clinker-built hull and no fixed deck, adapted to carrying stockfish. After several conversions she sailed until 1929, and in 1954 Nordlandsmuseet bought her from a family in Lofoten.

The jekt was hauled ashore in Bodøsjøen in 1959, but lack of money meant that the work to secure and display her dragged on for decades. Several plans, including a glass house around the jekt and the project “Anna Karolines hus”, were discussed without being carried out. The breakthrough came in the 2000s: in 2011 funds were granted for a feasibility study, in 2015 the Ministry of Culture supported the project, and construction began in autumn 2017. The museum opened on 22 June 2019.

The exhibition follows the early history of the stockfish trade, the fisherman-farmer society and life on board, with objects such as a silver chalice from the 1520s and a silk bridal dress from Lurøy from the 1760s. Around the museum lies Bodøsjøen open-air museum with 14 buildings that expand on Nordland's history, including a Nordland house, church booths, a smithy from Saltdal, rorbuer (fishermen's cabins) and boathouses. Jektefartsmuseet was named Museum of the Year in 2024 by the Norwegian Museums Association.

Highlights

• Anna Karoline – the world's only originally preserved Nordland jekt
• Exhibition on the stockfish trade and life on board
• Silver chalice from the 1520s and the Lurøy dress from the 1760s
• Activity hall where children can hoist sails and roll barrels
• Bodøsjøen open-air museum with 14 buildings

Permanent exhibitions

• Jektefartsmuseet – fast utstilling – The exhibition follows the history of the stockfish trade along the hull of the Nordland jekt Anna Karoline, continues with the fisherman-farmer society and ends with the crew, the skipper and faith in the sea.
• Bodøsjøen friluftsmuseum – The open-air museum has 14 buildings around Jektefartsmuseet, including a Nordland house, church booths, a smithy, rorbuer and boathouses, with QR codes that tell the story of each building.

Founded

2019

Operated by

Nordlandsmuseet

Admission & discounts

Tickets are bought on arrival at the museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 universally designed, with a toilet and an accessible toilet, accessible parking and an adapted gravel path on the outdoor area. The conference room has an induction loop.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The activity hall has interactive stations where children can hoist sails and roll barrels. A guided tour for children (aged 4–13) can be booked.

Getting there & parking

From central Bodø it takes 8 minutes by car, 13 minutes by bike and 47 minutes on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant and café Vengen Skafferi with food service and museum shop. Free wifi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Conference rooms (cinema-style 100, classroom 60, board room 20) and a restaurant room for companies of up to 80 people. The rental includes standard admission to the museum.

Plan your visit