Vitengarden

About the museum

Vitengarden in Nærbø is a museum and science centre run by Jærmuseet. Its approach is based on the idea of learning by doing: visitors can, for example, lift a 75-kilo weight and see how many horsepower they can manage, or investigate how the landscape of Jæren has changed. The main themes are natural science, farming, technology and food production.

The museum building at Kvia links Jæren building traditions to a modern design language and follows the lines of the landscape. The first construction phase was completed in 1995, and the second phase, with a large exhibition hall, came in 2002. The site covers just over 4,000 square metres, with about 1,200 square metres of exhibition space and an open study store.

Vitengarden includes Kvia 4H- og museumsgard, a farmyard from 1878 that today shows a farm environment from the 1950s. Here visitors can see animals that were common on Jæren, and on activity days guests follow the food from field to table, with, for example, potato planting in spring and potato harvesting in autumn.

Highlights

• The exhibition “Men mat må me ha…” with a beehive, a plough factory and a play barn
• Technology and landscape: try the technology that cleared stones on Jæren
• Kvia 4H- og museumsgard from 1878 with animals
• Activity days with traditional food and seasonal work
• Café with homemade food and an outdoor area with barbecues

Permanent exhibitions

• Men mat må me ha… – The exhibition from 2005 shows food from field to table, with a beehive behind glass, a plough factory, the inside of a cow and a play barn where visitors try the farmer's work.
• Teknologi og landskap – Visitors explore how the landscape of Jæren has changed and try the technology used to clear stones and reshape the land.
• Kvia 4H- og museumsgard – Farmyard from 1878 showing a farm environment from the 1950s, with animals that were common on Jæren.

Operated by

Jærmuseet

Admission & discounts

One ticket can be used at all of Jærmuseet's sites on the same day. The annual pass pays for itself from the third visit and is personal. School visits: NOK 30 per pupil for nurseries, SFO and upper secondary during school hours; compulsory-school pupils enter free during school hours. Tickets can be bought in advance or on site.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The exhibitions are built on guests trying things out and experimenting for themselves. The museum farm has animals, and activity days are held. Children's parties can be booked.

Getting there & parking

Vitengarden is centrally located off the national road (Riksvegen) in Nærbø, at Kviavegen 99.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café with seating for about 120 guests, homemade food with local ingredients, gluten-free and lactose-free dishes, and an outdoor covered area with barbecues. During school holidays and on Sundays, guests in the café must buy a museum ticket. Shop with traditional baking equipment, honey and activity kits.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Offers for businesses, weddings and rentals, including a Christmas lunch for colleagues.

Plan your visit