Ukrainian passports and ID cards can be used as an entrance ticket. Valid from Saturday 26 March until further notice.

Director Øyvind Stang says:

 - It's our way of welcoming them.

Museum Vest consists of Bergen Maritime Museum, Bjørn West Museum, The Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene, Herdla Museum, Fjell Fortress, The Coastal Museum in Øygarden, North Sea Traffic Museum and The Norwegian Fisheries Museum.

Declaration of support

The Museum Vest Foundation is behind the declaration of support for the Norwegian Museum Association "Protect cultural remains in Ukraine!"  and ICOM, the International Council of Museums, on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

#StandWithUkraine  #NOMuseums4Ukraine

Occupation, war and human rights as a theme

Four of the museums in Museum Vest have occupation, war and human rights as their theme. They want the coming generations to be aware of the struggle and to stand up for democracy, human dignity and humanity.

 "By knowing the past, we can better understand the present and maybe help build a base of common values for the future," says Øyvind Stang.

 

Fjell fortress The gateway to Bergen is guarded by Fjell Fortress. The fortress is one of the largest single-standing fortresses in Europe and part of the Atlantic Wall. The impressive construction was built by German occupation forces during World War II. Descend 14 meters into the cannon well and learn more about both the cannon and the fortress. In the underground corridors and tunnels you will find exhibitions about the lives of the soldiers, the Soviet prisoners of war and the locals. Fjell Fortress is located in a popular recreation area, and the café Kanontårnet is a beautiful destination for the whole family. Open Saturdays and Sundays 11 -16.

Herdla Museum Herdla museum is situated on the small island of Herdla, at the very tip of the island of Askøy. The museum offers a spectacular view of the island and the surrounding archipelago, once of strategic importance. The museum’s main attraction is the wreck of a German WWII fighter plane. You can also join a guided tour to the Herdla torpedo battery. Today this is part of the national heritage. The museum offers a variety of exhibitions and a nice café. Herdla is widely know for its bird reserve and beautiful nature. If you want to add to your experience with bird watching, fishing, hiking og swimming – Herdla is the place! The museum will give you tips and information to make your Herdla experience the best possible. 

The exhibition "One day in history"; portrait of survivor from Utøya by photographer Andrea Gjestvang. Open Sundays 12 - 17.

The North Sea Museum in Telavåg retells the powerful story that unfolded in the village during WWII.  The Norwegian resistance was reliant on equipment and agents being shipped across the North Sea from Britain. The people of Telavåg played a key role in this resistance effort. In 1942 they were exposed by the Gestapo, with dramatic consequences for the village and its residents. The museum film The tragedy of Telavåg with live testimonies, is shown every half hour.  The museum is a great start for several hikes. Guided tours every Thursday during the summer to Selstøbuene, the only surviving buildings after the destruction of the village. The app, Telavåg 1942, takes you on a historical walk through the village. Open Sundays 12 – 17.

Bjørn West Museum  is named after a Norwegian guerrilla group with headquarters in the mountains around Matre. During the German occupation of Norway, the group was to operate behind German lines in the event of an allied invasion. At the end of the war, the group numbered 259 soldiers. The story of Bjørn West is an interesting and dramatic part of the Norwegian war history. The museum has a collection of authentic weapons an artillery and gives an impression of the extreme conditions under which the soldiers lived and operated. Walk in the footsteps of the resistance group in the spectacular mountains of Matre. For more information about the hikes see our website. Open by appointment only.

 

The other museums also show their support of Ukraine and offer free entrance to ukranian refugees: 

The Coastal Museum in Øygarden – located to the west facing the sea. Exhibitions and films give visitors on insight into how people on the coast have lived and worked through the ages – from hunting to fishing and farming, from peat cutting to oil and gas. New exhibition about costume and textile traditions from Øygarden. The perfect starting point for a coastal day. We have excellent conditions for swimming in the ocean for both children and adults. Should the ocean surface be more to your liking we have both canoes and rowing boats for rent, even fishing equipment. Open Wednesdays 12-15, or by appointment.

Visiting The Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene gives you an insight into the life and work of Hanseatic merchants on Bryggen from 1360 to 1761. Explore the life of the Hanseatic merchants, and the assembly rooms the inhabited as a part of the Hanseatic history. Guided tours, treasure hunts and activities for all ages. Open daily 11-15. Guided tours Saturdays and Sundays at 12 in Norwegian, at 13 in English and at 14 for families.

Visit the Norwegian Museum of Fisheries and learn more about life along the Norwegian coast. The museum is located in authentic wharfside warehouses from the 18th century, as old as Bryggen. The historical buildings host modern exhibitions about Norwegian fisheries history and the ocean. With its interactive exhibitions, the museum is also perfect for a family visit. Continue the experience at our aquaculture visitor centre Storeblå. Get close to the Norwegian salmon through the modern aquaculture exhibition. Open daily 11-15.

At the Bergen Maritime Museum you can learn about Norwegianseafaring history and the evolution of seafaring from the earliest times until the present day. The exhibitions showcase items related to seafaring and life at sea, ship models of utmost quality, paintings and marine-archeological findings. Why is Norway called a seafaring nation? Visit us and find out for yourself. The children can explore the ship's deck, , peek into a real cannon, join a treasure hunt and more. Open daily 11-15.