Tekstilindustrimuseet

About the museum

Tekstilindustrimuseet is in the old factory buildings of Salhus Tricotagefabrik in Salhus, in the Åsane district of Bergen. The factory was founded in 1859 and was one of the first knitwear (trikotasje) factories in Norway. Production continued until 1989, and then the idea of a museum for the knitwear industry was pursued.

The museum was founded in 1992 under the name Norsk Trikotasjemuseum og Tekstilsenter and opened to the public in 2001. After the factory complex was protected, the museum was given the name Tekstilindustrimuseet. Today it is part of Museumssenteret i Hordaland (MUHO). Maintaining the old buildings remains a major task.

In the factory, visitors follow the production line from carding, spinning and winding to knitted yardage and finished garments. During the guided tours old machines are run that still twist and wind yarn. The museum also shows a workers' house from 1860, has a gallery for contemporary art and textiles, a museum shop with locally made knitwear and a café with a view over Salhusfjorden.

Highlights

• Salhus Tricotagefabrik from 1859 with winding loft, carding room and sewing loft
• Guided tour with demonstration of old knitting and spinning machines
• The workers' house from 1860 and the cultural heritage trail through the industrial place
• Galleri Salhus for contemporary art and textiles
• Café and museum shop with socks from the museum's own knitting machines

Permanent exhibitions

• Salhus Tricotagefabrik – The protected knitwear factory from 1859 shows the production line from carding and spinning to finished knitted garments, with old machines in operation during the guided tour.
• Arbeiderboligen fra 1860 – The exhibition shows how it was to live and work in a small industrial place.
• Kulturminneløypa – A trail presenting the industrial place Salhus and its history.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Museumssenteret i Hordaland (MUHO)

Admission & discounts

NOK 150 gives admission to parts of Salhus Tricotagefabrik, the film and Galleri Salhus. The guided tour with demonstration of machines has its own prices and a separate ticket. Free admission with the activity card (aktivitetskortet) for children and young people in Bergen; the Bergen Card gives free admission to the exhibitions (the guided tour has its own price). Artists have free admission to Galleri Salhus on presentation of a membership card. Groups have their own 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

Step-free access to the café, reception, film room and museum shop. Lift between the floors (inside 1.5 × 1.5 metres); contact reception to use it. Three steps from the café up to the winding loft. The narrowest doorway is 90 cm. The knitting loft is only open during guided tours. Disabled (HC) toilet just inside the main entrance, and HC parking outside the door.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

The museum has its own guided tours, a play corner and textile activities for children.

Getting there & parking

By car it takes 17 minutes from Bergen city centre (E39 to Åsane, then Fv 564). The museum has its own guest quay for boats during opening hours.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Kronen with a view over Salhusfjorden. Museum shop with locally made knitwear, yarn and socks. Electric-car charging station at the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum offers rental and knitting courses.

Plan your visit