Thousands of years ago, the first people came to the Oslo region - and they came to stay. They stod up against the harshness of nature, founded the first settlements and developed their culture. Vikings settled down in Oslo around the year 1000, and built wooden homes and a harbour. Christianization led to a long and bitter struggle between the people. Centuries of agricultural, infrastructural and economic development followed and left their traces all over the region.

Maihaugen Museum tells the story of people in the Gudbrandsdalen Valley the last 300 years, of life between the wars in the inland town of Lillehammer and of homes and domestic environments in the 20th century. The calm and spacious landscape of the museum provides insight and time for reflection.
The Sandvig Collection was founded by the dentist Anders Sandvig in 1887. In 1904 the museum was moved to Maihaugen. Today Maihaugen is one of the largest museums in Norway, with close to 200 buildings.

The ruins of Hamar`s old cathedral, built when the bishopric was founded in 1152/53, stand at the far end of Domkirkeodden.
The cathedral`s location at the highest point on the headland made it a prominent landmark, visible from afar to sailors on Lake Mjøsa. Visit the beautiful open-air museum and the monastic herb garden, and amdire the celebrated architecture of Sverre Fehn.

In Oslo you have a great variety of museums to visit. The world famous Viking ship house is situated here, showing the eminent cultural heritage of the Viking period. Explore the maritime museums at Bygdøy peninsula or the National art treasures at the National Museum. Find a variety of traditional houses form all over Norway at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History