Norsk Teknisk Museum

About the museum

The Foreningen Norsk Teknisk Museum was founded in 1914 in connection with the great jubilee exhibition at Frogner in Oslo, and several of the museum's first objects come from that exhibition. The museum previously had exhibition premises in the Vikingskipshuset on Bygdøy and in Fyrstikkalléen at Etterstad. The present museum building at Kjelsås opened in May 1986, and in 1995 the museum gained the status of a national museum.

The museum has more than 25 permanent and changing exhibitions on, among other things, energy, oil and gas, industry, transport, aviation, computers, clocks, musical machines and medicine. In total the museum covers 20,700 square metres, of which 12,000 square metres is exhibition space, spread over four floors connected by lifts.

Oslo vitensenter (Oslo Science Centre) on the lower ground floor lets visitors try interactive installations on energy, physical phenomena, the body, mathematics and space. Nasjonalt medisinsk museum (National Medical Museum) is a separate department in the building, with exhibitions on the history of medicine and large collections of objects, books and archive material.

Highlights

• More than 25 exhibitions and around 100 interactive installations
• Oslo vitensenter with exhibitions you can try yourself
• Nasjonalt medisinsk museum with exhibitions on the history of medicine
• Exhibitions on oil and gas, energy, industry, transport and aviation
• Åpent Bakeri, the museum's café, and the museum shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Oslo vitensenter – Interactive installations on energy, physical phenomena, the body, mathematics and space, which visitors can try for themselves.
• Medisinsk museum – Medical history exhibitions on everything from the inside of the body to the surgical techniques of earlier times.
• Olje og gass – Exhibition on Norwegian oil and gas activity.

Founded

1914

Operated by

Stiftelsen Norsk Teknisk Museum

Admission & discounts

The ticket applies to all exhibitions and activities, including Oslo vitensenter and Nasjonalt medisinsk museum. Tickets can be bought online, at reception or at the ticket machine in the foyer. Free admission also for members of ICOM, Norsk Teknisk Museums Venner (Friends of the Norsk Teknisk Museum), Museumsforbundet and Oslo Guideforening (Oslo Guide Association), for press on assignment and for interpreters (show a valid membership card or press card at reception). Students with a valid student card have free admission from 29 August to 4 September.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibitions and service areas are on four floors connected by lifts. Step-free access from the car park to the entrance doors, which have automatic openers, and no thresholds into exhibitions and activity rooms. Accessible toilets by the cloakrooms behind the shop and reception, in the Vitensenteret and at the entrance to the Medical Museum. Hearing loop in the auditorium in the communication hall. Two accessible parking spaces at the main entrance (a valid accessible parking permit is required). Light stools can be borrowed, and magnifying glasses can be borrowed at reception. Activity maps and sensory maps are available for visitors who need preparation.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The museum describes itself as Norway's most fun family museum, with around 100 interactive installations and Oslo vitensenter. Children under 4 have free admission. At weekends family programmes and tactile activities are offered as part of the ticket. Breastfeeding and bottle feeding are allowed throughout the museum. Changing tables are in the accessible toilets by the cloakrooms, in the Vitensenteret and at the Medical Museum. Activity maps and sensory maps help families prepare for their visit.

Getting there & parking

Bicycle racks in front of the main entrance, and cycle paths lead to the area. The older trams on the line are not accessible by wheelchair.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Åpent Bakeri is the museum's café at reception, and visitors can also bring their own packed lunch. The museum shop has toys and gifts. Cloakrooms are behind the shop and reception.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The museum rents out premises for seminars, product launches, private tours, company events and concerts.

Plan your visit