Slottsfjellsmuseet
Cultural history museum by Slottsfjellet in Tønsberg, with the Middle Ages, whaling, folk art and the open-air museum Vestfoldtunet.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Slottsfjellsmuseet opened in 1939 as Vestfold Fylkesmuseum (Vestfold County Museum). Its collections are based partly on Tønsberg museum, founded in 1894, and Tønsberg sjøfartsmuseum (the maritime museum in Tønsberg). In 2009 the museum became part of Vestfoldmuseene IKS (Vestfold Museums) and received its present name. A new building opened in June 2010.
The museum presents the history of Vestfold over 1100 years, from the medieval castle Tunsberghus to whaling. The whale hall (Hvalhallen) from 1939 displays whale skeletons, among them a 27-metre blue whale that was brought from Iceland in 1901. The collections also cover shipping, town and rural history, the Second World War in Vestfold, folk art and Norwegian castle history.
Behind the main buildings lies the open-air museum Vestfoldtunet, with relocated houses forming a farmstead, including a medieval loft and a kåpestabbur (raised storehouse) from Fadum in Sem. Slottsfjelltårnet (the Slottsfjell Tower) from 1888 is a landmark in Tønsberg, and it housed the museum itself from 1894 to 1930.
Highlights
- Hvalhallen with whale skeletons, including a 27-metre blue whale
- Medieval exhibitions on Tunsberghus and on faith and holiness in the Middle Ages
- Exhibition on Svend Foyn and Tønsberg
- Vestfoldtunet open-air museum with relocated farm buildings
- Slottsfjelltårnet with a view over the town
Permanent exhibitions
- Hvalhallen – Hall from 1939 with whale skeletons, including a 27-metre blue whale from Iceland.
- Svend Foyn og Tønsberg – Exhibition on the whaling pioneer Svend Foyn and the town of Tønsberg.
- Lux – Tro og hellighet i middelalderen – Exhibition on faith and holiness in the Middle Ages.
- Founded
- 1939
- Operated by
- Vestfoldmuseene IKS
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 100 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 70Children aged 7–17, seniors (honnør) and students |
| Children & teens | NOK 70free up to age 6 · Children aged 7–17; children aged 0–6 free. |
| Seniors | NOK 70Seniors (honnør). |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companion cards are accepted. |
| Students & apprentices | NOK 70 |
| Groups (10+ people) | NOK 70 per personAdults in groups of 10 or more. |
| Families | NOK 2702 adults and children aged 0–17. |
| Slottsfjelltårnet (adult, child aged 7–17, senior or student) | NOK 50Children aged 0–6 free; family NOK 150. |
The prices apply to the low season, 1 September–31 May. In the high season, 1 June–31 August, the ticket costs NOK 150 for adults, NOK 100 for children aged 7–17, seniors (honnør) and students, and NOK 400 for a family; groups pay NOK 100 per person. Annual passes can be bought on the website. Some activity days and events may have separate prices.
Accessibility
- Partially 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
Ramp, lift, accessible WC and induction loop in the museum. Slottsfjelltårnet, Vestfoldtunet and Slottsfjellhulene can be demanding for visitors with reduced mobility: the buildings and the tower have stairs (three floors in the tower). The road up to Vestfoldtunet is steep, and from the farmstead 92 low steps lead up to the ruins and the tower. Information and guided tours are available in Norwegian and English.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | NOK 270 · 2 adults and children aged 0–17. |
Family ticket for two adults and children aged 0–17.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The nearest bus stop is about 2 minutes' walk from the museum; the railway station is about 4 minutes away. Timetables at vkt.no and vy.no.
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking in front of the museum, with a disabled space and two spaces for tour buses. Limited parking at Vestfoldtunet near the Seterkafé.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Café
The Seterkafé café is located at Vestfoldtunet and is closed in the low season.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups (max. 30 people) are booked by e-mail to the museum. Within opening hours they cost from NOK 1,500 for 45–60 minutes, and outside opening hours from NOK 2,300, in addition to an entry ticket per person. Guided tours are in Norwegian and English. |
