National Museum
Oslo
The National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet) in Oslo is Norway's premier public museum for art, architecture, and design, established in 2003 by merging four former museums: the Museum of Architecture, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the National Gallery. The museum's current building, located at Brynjulf Bulls plass, opened on June 11, 2022, and is the largest art museum in the Nordic countries with 13,000 square meters of exhibition space. It houses around 400,000 objects, including permanent exhibitions from its own collection and rotating exhibitions with both loaned and owned works. The museum also organizes touring exhibitions both nationally and internationally. The institution is managed by a foundation established by Norway's Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and had 831,000 visitors in 2022. The museum plays a central role in preserving, researching, and presenting Norwegian art and design heritage.
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Tip: The best time to visit the National Museum is outside peak tourist seasons to enjoy a less crowded experience. It is recommended to check the official website for current exhibitions and to buy tickets in advance to avoid queues. Visitors can benefit from available discounts for students, seniors, and groups. The museum offers extensive facilities and is accessible by public transport in central Oslo.
Interesting facts
- •The National Museum houses around 400,000 objects, making it Norway’s largest collection of art, architecture, and design.
- •The current museum building is the largest art museum in the Nordic countries with 13,000 square meters of exhibition space.
- •The museum was formed by merging four separate institutions in 2003.
- •The museum building project had a budget of approximately six billion Norwegian kroner and was completed in 2022.
- •The National Gallery, one of the merged museums, was originally established in 1842 and operated for over 170 years before closing in 2019.
History
The National Museum was created in 2003 through the merger of four separate museums to consolidate Norway's major art collections.
The new building project was decided in 2008, with the design by German architects Kleihues + Schuwerk winning an international competition in 2010.
Construction was completed with a budget of approximately six billion Norwegian kroner, and the museum opened in 2022.
The National Gallery, one of the predecessor institutions, was established in 1842 and housed in a historic building from 1882, which is now closed.
The consolidation aimed to provide larger and modern exhibition spaces to accommodate Norway’s largest art collection.
Place Guide
Permanent Collection Galleries
These galleries showcase a vast range of artworks from Norway’s largest collection, including paintings, sculptures, and design objects spanning centuries.
Temporary Exhibition Halls
Spaces dedicated to rotating exhibitions featuring loaned and contemporary artworks, offering fresh perspectives on art and design.
Architecture Section
Focused on Norwegian architectural heritage and design, this section preserves and presents architectural models, drawings, and related artworks.
Museum Facilities and Visitor Services
Modern visitor amenities including a café, museum shop, and accessible entrances, ensuring a comfortable visit.
Contact
Phone: 21 98 20 00
