Sunnfjord Museum

About the museum

Like many other Norwegian folk museums, Sunnfjord Museum came into being in the early 20th century, when national feeling was strong around the dissolution of the union in 1905 and many people wanted to preserve Norwegian traditional expressions. Sunnfjord sogelag (the Sunnfjord local history society) was founded in 1910, with a museum for the region as one of its aims, and the museum opened in 1926 in the centre of Førde.

The site in the town centre was not ideal, and the museum was moved to Movika in 1950–51. Three historic houses were moved there first, and over the next twenty years more followed, so that the open-air museum took the form it has today. There are now 33 historic buildings in the open-air area, from the 16th to the 20th century, with a klyngetun that shows building traditions and ways of life in the rural communities of Sunnfjord.

In the summer season the guided tour passes five houses: a smoke room from the 16th century (Østenstadstova), a loft, a storehouse (stabbur), a schoolhouse and a smallholding (husmannsplass), which are furnished as they might have looked when in use. In the schoolroom you can try writing with ink and pen. In the visitor building there is an exhibition hall on the 2nd floor with changing exhibitions. The museum is part of Musea i Sogn og Fjordane.

Highlights

• 33 historic buildings from the 16th to the 20th century
• Klyngetun with a smoke room from the 16th century
• Schoolroom where you can write with ink and pen
• Movika landhandel (rural general store) and shoemaker’s workshop with a sensory exhibition
• Path to Huldefossen

Permanent exhibitions

• Friluftsmuseet med klyngetun – 33 historic buildings from the 16th to the 20th century showing building traditions and ways of life in Sunnfjord.
• Østenstadstova – Smoke room from the 16th century, part of the guided tour in the summer season, and decorated for Christmas before Christmas.
• Movika landhandel og skomakerverksted – Sensory exhibition in Gulehuset with props that can be touched, texts in Braille and good lighting.

Founded

1926

Operated by

Musea i Sogn og Fjordane

Admission & discounts

During opening hours you must buy a ticket to enter the museum grounds, whether or not you use the offers. Tickets can be bought at reception or online.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The visitor building has a door-opener button on the ground floor and a step-free entrance, but no lift. Wheelchair and rollator users reach the exhibition hall on the 2nd floor via the road behind the building to the entrance door there. The open-air museum has gravel paths of varying accessibility. Movika landhandel and the shoemaker’s workshop (Gulehuset) are the most accessible, with a ramp entrance and a sensory exhibition with props that can be touched, texts in Braille and good lighting. Otherwise access to the historic houses is limited; Østenstadstova and Skulestova can be adapted. Please contact the museum in advance for an adapted visit.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The guided tours are also suitable for children and young people. In the schoolroom you can try writing with ink and pen.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Movika by the E39 between Førde and Jølster. Sunnfjord Museum lies by a path to Huldefossen, which takes about one hour there and back.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum shop and kiosk with books, gifts, traditional toys and handicraft products made in Norway, and service of coffee, ice cream and kiosk items. The shop is open during the museum’s opening hours.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit