Maihaugen
Innlandet
Maihaugen, located in Lillehammer, Norway, is a premier open-air museum featuring approximately 200 historic buildings that illustrate Norwegian life from the Middle Ages to modern times. Founded by Anders Sandvig, a dentist and cultural collector, the museum began as a private collection of old houses and artifacts from Gudbrandsdalen. In 1904, the city of Lillehammer officially established the museum on a site known as Maihaugen, which historically served as a community gathering place. The museum is divided into three main sections: the Rural Collection, showcasing farmhouses and buildings from the 15th to 19th centuries; the Historic Town, representing Lillehammer's urban environment from the early 1800s to around 1920; and the Residential Area, featuring typical 20th-century single-family homes, including Queen Sonja's childhood home. Among its highlights is the Garmo Stave Church, a medieval wooden church relocated and reconstructed at the site. Maihaugen also encompasses an indoor museum with exhibitions and a concert hall, expanded for the 1994 Winter Olympics. The museum offers rich cultural experiences with traditional crafts, live performances, and extensive archives, making it a vital institution preserving Norwegian heritage.
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Tip: Visit Maihaugen during the warmer months for the best experience of its outdoor exhibits and live historical reenactments. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons and events. Discounts are often available for students, seniors, and groups. Check the official website for current opening hours and special programs. Allow sufficient time to explore all three sections, and consider guided tours to enhance understanding of the exhibits.
Interesting facts
- •Maihaugen is one of Northern Europe's largest open-air museums with nearly 200 historic buildings.
- •The Garmo Stave Church, dating back to around 1200, was relocated to Maihaugen and reassembled between 1920 and 1921.
- •The museum's site was historically a communal gathering place for celebrations such as Norwegian Constitution Day and Midsummer bonfires.
- •Queen Sonja's childhood home, a functionalist villa from 1935, was moved to Maihaugen in 2015.
- •Maihaugen includes a concert hall with over 700 seats, opened in 1967 and expanded for the 1994 Winter Olympics.
History
Maihaugen originated from Anders Sandvig's private collection of historic buildings and artifacts beginning in 1887.
In 1901, Lillehammer's town council provided a permanent site, officially establishing the museum in 1904.
Over the decades, the museum expanded its collection to include nearly 200 buildings representing rural and urban Norwegian life across centuries.
Significant milestones include the relocation of the Garmo Stave Church in the early 20th century and the construction of indoor exhibition spaces and a concert hall in the mid-20th century, notably expanded for the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Maihaugen continues to evolve as a leading cultural institution preserving Norway's heritage.
Place Guide
Rural Collection
This section displays farmhouses and buildings mainly from Gudbrandsdalen villages, focusing on the period 1700–1850, including some dating back to the 15th century. It reflects rural Norwegian life with authentic buildings and interiors.
Historic Town
A collection of buildings from Lillehammer representing urban life between the early 19th century and circa 1920. It includes structures like the post office, railway station, shops, and other social institutions.
Residential Area
This area showcases typical single-family homes from almost every decade of the 20th century, including architect-designed houses and historically significant residences like Queen Sonja's childhood home, relocated to Maihaugen in 2015.
Garmo Stave Churchcirca 1200
A medieval wooden church originally built around 1200, dismantled in 1882, and reconstructed at Maihaugen between 1920 and 1921. It is a key highlight representing Norway's stave church heritage.
Maihaugsalen Concert Hall1967
Opened in 1967, this concert hall seats over 700 people and features a large exhibition space. It was expanded ahead of the 1994 Winter Olympics to accommodate cultural events.
Contact
Phone: 61 28 89 00
