Petter Dass-museet

About the museum

Petter Dass-museet is located at Alstahaugtunet and conveys the cultural heritage of the priest-poet Petter Dass (1646/47–1707). He was priest at Alstahaug from 1689 until his death and is best known as a hymn writer, but he also worked as a merchant. The museum and Alstahaug are Nordland county's millennium site, and the museum is run by Helgeland Museum.

On the farmyard lie the old vicarage from the mid-18th century, Alstahaug church from around the 13th century and the modern museum building, completed in 2007 and designed by Snøhetta. The church, churchyard and buildings on the farmyard are protected by Riksantikvaren (the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage). The area is also a popular walking destination.

In the main building you will find the main exhibition on Petter Dass, which consists of seven exhibition walls, each with its own theme from his life and work, and is inspired by the symbolism of the number seven. Here are also Margrethes kafé (Margrethe's Café) and the museum shop. An archaeology exhibition shows finds from the excavations in Alstahaug church and on the farmyard. In summer there are guided tours and billedspill (picture plays) in the church and the vicarage, while the festival Petter Dass-dagene (Petter Dass Days) is held every other year.

Highlights

• Main exhibition on Petter Dass with seven exhibition walls
• Museum building designed by Snøhetta (2007)
• Alstahaug church from the 13th century
• Vicarage from the mid-18th century
• Archaeology exhibition with finds from the farmyard
• Margrethes kafé and museum shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Petter Dass-museets hovedutstilling – Exhibition with seven exhibition walls and matching display cases, covering seven themes from Petter Dass's life and work.
• Arkeologiutstilling om Alstahaug – Finds from the Riksantikvaren's excavations in Alstahaug church in the 1960s and from NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet's excavations on the farmyard. The objects are on loan and are shown in the period 2023–2028.

Founded

1966

Operated by

Helgeland Museum

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum has Barnas museum (the Children's Museum), a conversation café (kåserikafé), lectures and exhibitions for both adults and children.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Margrethes kafé and museum shop with books, crafts and gifts in the main building.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The auditorium can be rented and combined with service at Margrethes kafé and a guided tour or ticket to the main exhibition.

Plan your visit