Day 23 - Viking Museum in Borg

Rainy day - and another museum day. One hour's drive from our campsite is the village of Borg, where there is a museum about Vikings. The journey there takes longer than Google claims. Their algorithm is obviously unable to take into account my love for photography and the diversity and beauty of the landscape along the route in the time calculation.

Already on the way from the parking lot up to the museum, which is located on a slight hill, the huge longhouse catches the eye, located next to the museum building. I am curious to see what it will look like inside. The entrance fee is steep, 200 NOK per person, but so be it.

The first section of the exhibition deals with the discovery, excavation and classification of the historical site in Borg. Via an app or borrowable audio guides, you can synchronize with the audio tracks of the short films shown on about 20 wall screens, in which archaeologists explain the history behind this place. The second section consists of glass display cases, in which the majority of the finds are exhibited. An audio commentary is also available for each object or group of similar objects.

Archaeologists from all over the world became aware of Borg after a farmer discovered strange objects between the clods of earth while plowing his field. Local hobby archaeologists recognized the importance and laid the foundation for extensive excavations with international participation. It became increasingly clear that this was almost a sensation in terms of the nature and extent of the finds and the insights gained from them.

The site in Borg was a chieftain's seat with about 100 farms and about 1800 inhabitants in the surrounding area. Numerous luxury items such as valuable jewelry and goods from all over the world (e.g. glass drinking cups, jet jewelry, gemstone beads, etc., partly traded and partly presumably looted on raids) prove that it must have been the seat of a wealthy and powerful ruler. From tradition, we know that he abandoned it and left for the Lofoten Islands to settle there. His freedom and independence, threatened by the formation of powerful political and military alliances in the south, were probably more important to him than material possessions.

The longhouse, reconstructed next to the original steles of the chieftain's seat, is absolutely impressive. The dimensions alone are awe-inspiring, it has a length of over 80 meters and is about 10 meters wide. The interior is lovingly furnished with replicas of the furniture and utensils of the time, the lighting is subtle. The atmosphere created almost allows for a total immersion in the past. For children with their flourishing imagination, a visit to this place must be absolutely gigantic.

Unfortunately, as so often happens, group tours are an absolute nuisance. They trample through in cohorts, chatting and making noise, completely ignorant of the fact that a lecture on the history of the Vikings is currently being held and that they should possibly be a little quieter.

The Viking boat, located in the outdoor area on the fjord, is also nice and can be used for short trips. Unfortunately, we arrive just in time for the end of the last trip and only see two museum employees dressed as Vikings driving away on a moped.

Nevertheless, the visit was definitely worth it, if only because of the longhouse.

On the way back, there are magnificent views of the numerous fjords and bays. The sun is already quite low, and the interplay of rain, sun, and clouds creates almost fairytale-like lighting effects. We find a campsite near Flakstad for tonight, located directly on a beach. The sunset is like nothing I have seen before in this regard. The small mountain range directly behind the campsite is bathed in a surreal warm light as the sun finally breaks through the dark clouds on the horizon. Not far away to the west, it is raining heavily. Above the sea, however, the dark clouds are dispersed by the wind and ignited by the setting sun, it almost looks like a painting by William Turner.

After two days on the Lofoten Islands, I note for myself that I have never been to any other place where the weather and lighting conditions can change so quickly and dramatically. They are an absolute paradise for photography enthusiasts.