Jernaldergården
Reconstructed farmstead from the Migration Period at Ullandhaug in Stavanger, with living fires in the houses, a visitor centre and a café.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Jernaldergården (the Iron Age farm) at Ullandhaug is a living open-air museum on top of Ullandhaug, about three kilometres from Stavanger city centre, with a view over Nord-Jæren and Hafrsfjord. The site is a reconstructed farmstead from the Migration Period, around AD 350–550, and is the only one of its kind in Norway rebuilt on the remains of a farm from that period. The three houses are furnished with equipment and household items, and live fires burn on the original hearths.
The farmstead was mapped in 1900 by conservator Tor Helliesen at Stavanger Museum. In 1967–68 it was examined archaeologically and scientifically under the direction of archaeologist Bjørn Myhre, in what was then the largest excavation project in Rogaland. King Olav V officially opened Jernaldergården in 1972 as part of the marking of the 1100th anniversary of the Battle of Hafrsfjord.
The visitor centre at the farm was completed in 2018 and houses a café and two exhibitions. There visitors can see objects found at the farm and learn about the excavation in the 1960s. The farm burned down in the mid-500s and was abandoned, and it is thought that 10–12 people lived there. The site is run by the Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger.
Highlights
- Three reconstructed houses from the Migration Period with living fires
- Visitor centre from 2018 with exhibitions on the finds from the excavation
- Café Ask og Embla at the farm
- View over Nord-Jæren and Hafrsfjord
- The housewife and the farm folk welcome visitors and tell of life 1,500 years ago
Permanent exhibition
- Funn fra Jernaldergården – Exhibitions in the visitor centre on objects found at the farm and on the excavation in the 1960s.
- Founded
- 1972
- Operated by
- Arkeologisk museum, Universitetet i Stavanger
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 100 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 40Concessions (honnør) |
| Children & teens | freeChildren enter free of charge. |
| Seniors | NOK 40Concession (honnør) ticket. |
| Students & apprentices | freeStudents enter free of charge. |
| Families | NOK 200Family ticket. |
| Adult annual pass (Archaeological Museum and Jernaldergården) | NOK 400 |
| Concession annual pass (Archaeological Museum and Jernaldergården) | NOK 200 |
| Family annual pass (Archaeological Museum and Jernaldergården) | NOK 580 |
Group prices for 10 people or more are arranged via am-booking@uis.no.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | NOK 200 · Family ticket. |
|---|
Jernaldergården is popular with families. Children enter free of charge, and a family ticket costs NOK 200.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus from Stavanger city centre to Jernaldergården up to four times an hour.
By car
Paid parking
Own parking spaces just outside the visitor centre, but with limited space. Otherwise paid parking at the University of Stavanger (“gjesteparkering 5”, guest parking 5) within a short walk: NOK 20 per hour, maximum NOK 200 per day.
The farm lies on top of Ullandhaug, about 3 km from Stavanger city centre.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Café Ask og Embla at Jernaldergården is open during the farm's opening hours and closed in the winter season. The visitor centre has a toilet.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group visits and school classes can book a visit all year. |
