Hallands kulturhistoriska museum

About the museum

Hallands kulturhistoriska museum began its activities in 1916, when Norra Hallands kulturhistoriska förening was formed. Since 1917 the museum has been located at Varberg Fortress, and over the more than hundred years since then it has undergone many changes and has had several different names. In 1979 the foundation Stiftelsen Hallands länsmuseer was formed, which today runs both Hallands kulturhistoriska museum in Varberg and Hallands Konstmuseum in Halmstad.

The museum tells the story of people’s living conditions in Halland in all eras and is also responsible for cultural environment care in the county. The collections are large and include objects and archive material. Most of the activities take place at Varberg Fortress, one of the largest fortifications in the Nordic countries from the 17th century and a protected historic building managed by Statens fastighetsverk (the Swedish National Property Board).

The museum attracted national and international attention when the Bockstensmannen was found in Bockstens mosse in Åkulla in the 1930s. The find of a medieval man with well-preserved clothing is one of Europe’s most spectacular. The museum has three branches in the county: the Båtmuseet in Galtabäcks hamn, the Bexellska ryggåsstugan in Varberg and Fågelboet in Vessigebro, the birthplace of August Bondeson.

Highlights

• Bockstensmannen with skeleton, clothing and facial reconstruction
• The exhibition Halland berättar – traces of thousands of years
• The play exhibition Borgen in Count Jakob’s house from the 14th century
• The location high up on Varberg Fortress
• Audio and text guide in Swedish, English and German

Permanent exhibitions

• Halland berättar – spår från tusentals år – Cultural history exhibition on Halland with objects from the collections that tell of the daily life, celebrations, work and dreams of the people of Halland.
• Bockstensmannen – The skeleton, the well-preserved clothing and the facial reconstruction of a man found in Bockstens mosse; the exhibition tells about the find and the research.
• Borgen – rum för medeltidslek – Play exhibition in Count Jakob’s house from the 14th century, where children can explore, play and learn.

Founded

1916

Operated by

Stiftelsen Hallands länsmuseer Halmstad och Varberg

Visitors per year

approx. 118,000

Admission & discounts

Low-season prices apply outside the peak season of 6 July–23 August. Entrance tickets are bought at the museum reception. The Kulturarvskort gives a 50% discount on the ticket.

Accessibility

• 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

The museum is at the top of the fortress and is reached via a sloping gravel road or the stairs by the restaurant. Disabled parking spaces are outside the entrance and in the inner courtyard (arrange permission with reception). Wheelchairs can be borrowed. Reception, shop, cloakroom, café and toilets are on the entrance level, reached by stairs or lift; one toilet is accessible and has a baby changing table. The exhibitions Halland berättar and Bockstensmannen are reached by lift. The Rikssalen (state room) is closed for renovation. Pets are not allowed inside the museum, except certified assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The play exhibition Borgen in Count Jakob’s house from the 14th century invites children to explore, play and learn. There is a family tour about Bockstensmannen for all ages.

Getting there & parking

From September to May it is possible to drive up to the entrance to drop off or pick up.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café Längan is in the museum with its own entrance from the courtyard, where they serve, among other things, apple pie following a recipe from 1597. Shop and cloakroom with lockable lockers on the entrance level.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Venue hire at Varberg Fortress; see the museum’s page on venue hire (Lokaluthyrning).

Plan your visit