Vandalorum

About the museum

Vandalorum opened in 2011 at the Sydsvenska krysset (the southern Swedish junction), where the E4 and national road 27 meet outside Värnamo. The idea came from Sven Lundh, a furniture dealer and cultural entrepreneur who for several decades ran art exhibitions in Småland and helped to found Smålands Konstarkiv. The building was designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano and consists of eleven barn-like volumes resembling a torklada (drying shed) that previously stood on the site.

The museum shows Swedish and international contemporary art and design in constantly changing exhibitions, and there are also permanent works indoors and outdoors. The name Vandalorum comes from the museum man Pontus Hultén, who linked the Vandals with Småland. Since 2023 Piet Oudolf's garden has been laid out on the museum grounds, his first garden at a Nordic cultural institution.

Highlights

• Building by Renzo Piano in eleven barn-like volumes
• Piet Oudolf's garden on 8.4 hectares
• Permanent works by, among others, Sivert Lindblom, Gustav and Ulla Kraitz and Erik Dietman
• Constantly new exhibitions in art and design
• Restaurant and shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Permanenta verk – Permanent works indoors and outdoors, among them Sivert Lindblom's Pendel (1973), Gustav and Ulla Kraitz's Havsdjur (2012), Erik Dietman's Fiskarnas sten (1999–2000), Boris Berlin's Apostol (1998), Mats Theselius's Chaise Lounge (1998) and Nina Canell and Robin Watkins's Teratological Pear (2025).
• Piet Oudolfs trädgård – Garden by Piet Oudolf on the museum grounds with thousands of perennials, bulbs and shrubs; the first two stages, at the museum entrance, were completed in 2023 and 2025.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Vandalorum

Admission & discounts

Members of Vandalorums Vänner (Friends of Vandalorum) have free admission. Payment is made by most debit and credit cards and by Swish, not in cash. The prices apply from 1 January 2026.

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 premises have no thresholds, and a large lift serves the basement level and the administration level. There is a toilet for people with disabilities on the entrance level and in the basement. Folding stools and a wheelchair can be borrowed at the entrance, and voice amplifiers are used during guided visits. Assistance dogs are allowed in all public areas. The museum is a participating organiser of the Pluspolare card.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Formstudion is a room where families can create together, and activities are arranged during the school holidays. In the entrance there are art tricks, crayons and children's books to borrow. The restaurant serves children's portions and has children's chairs, and changing tables are located next to the shop and in the basement.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located at the Sydsvenska krysset, where the E4 and national road 27 meet, exit 84 from the E4.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Restaurant serving KRAV-certified food, a shop, and an unattended cloakroom with lockable lockers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 180 guests.

Conference rooms Bruno Mathsson and Galleriet (up to 180 people), as well as a greenhouse in Piet Oudolf's garden.

Plan your visit