Fram Museum, Oslo (must see)
The Fram Museum stands as a tribute to Norwegian polar exploration, recounting its history and tales. Situated on the Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo, it shares space with a cluster of other remarkable museums, including the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Viking Ship Museum, and the Norwegian Maritime Museum. Nearby, one can find the Bygdøy Royal Estate, the designated summer retreat for the King of Norway, and the historic Oscarshall.
Established on May 20, 1936, the Fram Museum commemorates the broader journey of Norwegian polar exploration, with a special focus on three renowned explorers – Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, and Roald Amundsen. Within its walls, visitors can also encounter captivating visuals of the polar region's wildlife, including polar bears and penguins.
Central to the Fram Museum is the original exploration vessel, also named Fram. Preserving its authentic interior, the museum invites visitors to step inside the ship and witness its history firsthand. The creation of Fram was overseen by Colin Archer, a shipbuilder of Scots-Norwegian origin, who designed the vessel based on the specifications outlined by Norwegian Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen. In 1891, Nansen secured funding from both the Norwegian government and private sources to bring this ship to life.
In May 2009, the Fram Museum and the Norwegian Maritime Museum entered into a collaborative agreement, granting the Fram Museum the responsibility of showcasing the Gjøa, the first ship to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage. In 1906, Roald Amundsen and his crew achieved this remarkable feat after a three-year expedition. Housed in its dedicated building within the museum complex, the Gjøa was made fully accessible to visitors in 2017.
Why You Should Visit:
This museum is the most comprehensive exhibit on polar exploration that you're likely to see.
The collection includes many photographs, maps, and equipment; the displays have timelines, journal entries, and historical contents.
There are also several specific rooms that simulate the conditions in the Arctic (and the Antarctic), like the one you go in freezing and windy conditions.
The facility offers lockers, snacks, and drinks so there's no need to rush out of it.
Tip:
Consider buying the museum pack that gets you into the 3 museums all right next to each other: Fram, Kon-Tiki, and the Marine Museum.
Established on May 20, 1936, the Fram Museum commemorates the broader journey of Norwegian polar exploration, with a special focus on three renowned explorers – Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, and Roald Amundsen. Within its walls, visitors can also encounter captivating visuals of the polar region's wildlife, including polar bears and penguins.
Central to the Fram Museum is the original exploration vessel, also named Fram. Preserving its authentic interior, the museum invites visitors to step inside the ship and witness its history firsthand. The creation of Fram was overseen by Colin Archer, a shipbuilder of Scots-Norwegian origin, who designed the vessel based on the specifications outlined by Norwegian Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen. In 1891, Nansen secured funding from both the Norwegian government and private sources to bring this ship to life.
In May 2009, the Fram Museum and the Norwegian Maritime Museum entered into a collaborative agreement, granting the Fram Museum the responsibility of showcasing the Gjøa, the first ship to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage. In 1906, Roald Amundsen and his crew achieved this remarkable feat after a three-year expedition. Housed in its dedicated building within the museum complex, the Gjøa was made fully accessible to visitors in 2017.
Why You Should Visit:
This museum is the most comprehensive exhibit on polar exploration that you're likely to see.
The collection includes many photographs, maps, and equipment; the displays have timelines, journal entries, and historical contents.
There are also several specific rooms that simulate the conditions in the Arctic (and the Antarctic), like the one you go in freezing and windy conditions.
The facility offers lockers, snacks, and drinks so there's no need to rush out of it.
Tip:
Consider buying the museum pack that gets you into the 3 museums all right next to each other: Fram, Kon-Tiki, and the Marine Museum.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oslo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Fram Museum on Map
Sight Name: Fram Museum
Sight Location: Oslo, Norway (See walking tours in Oslo)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Oslo, Norway (See walking tours in Oslo)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Oslo, Norway
Create Your Own Walk in Oslo
Creating your own self-guided walk in Oslo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Museum District (Bygdoy) Walking Tour
Oslo's Museum District, located on the Bygdoy Peninsula, is home to some of the most visited museums in the city. Repositories of precious artifacts from Norway’s history, these remarkable institutions collectively represent a treasure trove for those keen on exploring this northerly nation's past.
One of the standout attractions here is the Fram Museum, showcasing the incredible... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
One of the standout attractions here is the Fram Museum, showcasing the incredible... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour
Oslo's religious landscape, particularly within the Christian tradition, is a captivating tapestry interwoven with history, faith, and architectural elegance. The city boasts a collection of historical churches reflecting the evolution of local Christian communities. Diverse in their designs, these sacred sites offer a glimpse into the deep-rooted religious traditions that have shaped Oslo... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Oslo Introduction Walking Tour
Originally a Viking village, Norway's capital city has a long and multifaceted history that begins long before its establishment as a trading hub of Ánslo in 1040 AD. Archaeological findings suggest the presence of a Christian settlement in the area predating the year 1000.
Throughout the Middle Ages, Oslo's significance varied under the rule of Danish and Norwegian kings. Around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Throughout the Middle Ages, Oslo's significance varied under the rule of Danish and Norwegian kings. Around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Old Oslo Walking Tour
The historic Old Town of Oslo is the oldest part of the city which dates back to the days of medieval Norway. This urban area emerged around the year 1000 and became the capital of Norway's dominion (within the Dano-Norwegian Realm) around 1300. The Old Town district continued to be known as Oslo, while the whole city was called Christiania, until 1925.
One of its prominent landmarks is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of its prominent landmarks is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Grunerlokka Walking Tour
Formerly a working-class area of Oslo, Grunerlokka is one of the capital’s hippest neighborhoods. This district is named after Friedrich Gruner, the former chief administrator of the city in the late 1600s. Today's Grunerlokka is a fusion of Norwegian and foreign cultures, owing it largely to the late 20th-century gentrification process.
Apart from the street art, stylish bars, happening... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Apart from the street art, stylish bars, happening... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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