Östergötlands museum
County museum in Linköping with art and cultural history, a Stone Age grave find and a play exhibition for children, in a functionalist museum building from 1939.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Östergötlands museum is the county’s museum for art and cultural history and is located at Raoul Wallenbergs plats in Linköping. The building came about after many years of discussion about a shared premises for the town’s two museums, Östergötlands museum and Linköpings stads museum, whose collections were large and of high quality.
An architectural competition was held in 1935, and from among 53 proposals a bold functionalist design by the young architects Nils Ahrbom and Helge Zimdal was chosen. The first sod was turned in July 1937 at Hunnebergsgärdet, and the new museum was inaugurated on 21 June 1939. The building is counted as a representative example of Swedish functionalism and was designated a protected historic building (byggnadsminne) in 1985, with special protection for the exterior, the Wallenbergsalen and the foyer.
Today the museum shows two permanent exhibitions: the art exhibition Verkligheter (Realities), based on the museum’s own collection, and the cultural history exhibition Vägen hit (The Way Here), which takes the visitor back 11,000 years through eleven rooms. These include the finds from the Stone Age grave discovered during the construction of Bergsrondellen in the 1950s. For families with children there is the play exhibition Viljans värld (Will’s World). Building conservators, archaeologists and conservators also work in the building, and there is an archive and library here.
Highlights
- The art exhibition Verkligheter with European art from the museum’s collection
- Vägen hit – a reverse journey through time in eleven rooms
- Bergsgraven (the Berg grave) with reconstructions of the three people from the Stone Age grave
- The play exhibition Viljans värld for families with children
- Functionalist museum building by Ahrbom and Zimdal, a protected historic building
Permanent exhibitions
- Verkligheter – Permanent art exhibition on how people portray themselves, others and their surroundings in European art, with spectacular spatial design.
- Vägen hit – Cultural history exhibition in eleven rooms that takes the visitor 11,000 years back in time, with the Bergsgraven as a central part.
- Viljans värld – Playful experience environment for families with children, with the sprite Viljans ek (Will’s oak), a spaceship for time travel and an anthill with a slide.
- Founded
- 1884
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 130 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | SEK 110Students and pensioners |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission for children and young people up to and including 18. |
| Seniors | SEK 110Pensioners pay the reduced price. |
| Students & apprentices | SEK 110 |
| Families | SEK 750Family card (annual pass for two adults from the same household; children up to and including 18 always have free admission). |
| Annual pass | SEK 430Valid for 12 months from the first visit, personal. |
| Family card | SEK 750Annual pass for two adults in the same household. |
Free admission for asylum seekers on presentation of an LMA card, and for holders of an ICOM card or a Sveriges Museer card. 50% discount with the Kulturarvskortet. Cashless till – payment by card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Lifts between the floors and an accessible toilet. One parking space for visitors with disabilities is at Vasavägen outside the restaurant; a parking permit is collected at reception. The museum has an accessibility statement on its website.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | SEK 750 · Family card (annual pass for two adults from the same household; children up to and including 18 always have free admission). |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
The play exhibition Viljans värld is aimed at families with children. The museum organises family tours, Lördagsverkstad (Saturday workshop), holiday activities and children’s parties, among other things. Pushchair parking and a nursing room are on level 1, and a changing table is at Ateljé Rut.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Konsert och Kongress
The nearest bus stop is Konsert och Kongress. From Linköping Resecentrum it is about a ten-minute walk along Järnvägsavenyn and up Vasavägen.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum has no visitor parking of its own. Parking for two hours is possible on nearby streets; the Baggen car park and the car park at Katedralskolan are also close.
- Accessible parking
The entrance is at the junction of Vasavägen and Gråbrödragatan, close to Linköping Cathedral.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
The museum restaurant Charles Emils is being replaced by restaurant RIDÅN, which according to the museum opens in October; roof terrace in summer. Free Wi-Fi for visitors. Packed-lunch room with microwave on level 1.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 250 guests.
Premises for meetings and events for 6 to 250 people, including the Wallenbergsalen and three conference and meeting rooms.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography without flash is permitted in the exhibitions. |
| Good to know | Tours can be booked in advance. Audio guides for Verkligheter and Vägen hit are accessed via your own phone – bring your own headphones. Larger backpacks and bags may not be taken into the exhibitions. |
Museums nearby
All 13 museums in Linköping All museums in Östergötland County
