Nordic history and culture

Home
Nordic history and culture

Welcome to your essential news source for all things travel and culture in the Nordics and beyond.
(16)

17/06/2024

Dr. Geir Grønnesby and his team from NTNU University Museum uncovered a ship burial from around the year 700 at Herlaugshaugen in Norway, showing that Scandinavians developed sophisticated maritime capabilities even before the Viking era began.

A recent archeological excavation suggests a burial mound on the island of Leka contains a ship constructed 1,300 years ago.

16/06/2024

The festival is organized by Rimmugýgur, Iceland's biggest reenactment group, and attracts 30,000 visitors to a small park in the port town of Hafnarfjörður for an authentic taste of Viking living.

Iceland's biggest Viking festival runs until 18 June and will see up to 30,000 people descend on the small town of Hafnarfjörður.

15/06/2024

The Cité Immersive Viking opens today in Rouen, France. This new attraction offers a deep dive into the Viking heritage of Normandy, right by the beautiful banks of the Seine.

The Cité Immersive Viking, a cutting-edge cultural venue in Rouen, is set to showcase a defining era in the history of Normandy through immersive exhibits and interactive displays.

14/06/2024

Gunnhildr Gormsdóttir, often called the "Mother of Kings," was a prominent figure in Norse sagas. She was depicted as a powerful matriarch born to the Danish King Gorm the Old in the early 10th century. She was portrayed with typical sexist tropes of the era, being cunning, sexual, and possessing magical abilities.

The daughter of one Viking king, wife to another, and the mother of at least two more, Gunnhildr Gormsdóttir was an influential woman in an era of hyper-masculinity and entrenched patriarchy.

13/06/2024

The Fantoft Stave Church has had a turbulent history. It originated in medieval times and was moved in the 19th century. Tragically, it was burned down by black metal enthusiasts in 1992, but it was subsequently restored to its former glory. This architectural gem represents a rich tapestry of Norwegian history, combining ancient pagan symbols with Christian traditions over many centuries.

What does a mid-12th-century Viking church have to do with the birth of the black metal scene in Norway?

12/06/2024

The Viking Herald takes a closer look at Egil Skallagrímsson, a Viking whose life was interesting enough to earn him a saga all his own. The article explores how Egil's blend of fierce combat skills and poetic talent captured the imagination of generations.

Long before Hamlet, Holden Caulfield, or James Dean forged the Western idea of the anti-hero, there was Egil Skallagrímsson. He was a historical figure and a man of many talents. Among them, he was a Viking warrior, poet, and farmer.

11/06/2024

Did you know that for three centuries, Viking traders and merchants used hacksilver as a clever and flexible form of currency? They did this by cutting silver into pieces of specific weight, making it easier to trade and ensuring transactions could perfectly match the value of goods and services. This adaptability was really important during a time when standardized coinage was not always available.

Long before the great commercial hubs of Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm were built upon commerce, cash, and trade, people in Viking societies used an ingenious form of currency to trade, barter, and conduct business throughout Northern Europe and beyond.

10/06/2024

Sites like the Heavener Runestone Park in Oklahoma captivate the public imagination, suggesting that Vikings might have ventured far beyond the confirmed settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland. However, scholars remain skeptical...

How one woman's tenacity and faith turned the Heavener Runestone into a national monument to America's legend-filled past.

09/06/2024

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway was excited to lay the foundation stone for the new Museum of the Viking Age in Oslo. The museum is set to open in 2027 and will house the world's most valuable collection from the Viking Age, including best-preserved Viking ships such as the Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune.

The ceremony marks the start of the construction process for the new museum in Norway's capital.

08/06/2024

Sigrid the Haughty really stands out as a fascinating figure from the Viking Age, which wasn't exactly known for giving women a starring role. As a character shrouded in myth and reality, Sigrid was a real power player, supposedly pulling the strings behind significant events like the Battle of Svolder.

Sigrid the Haughty, a powerful figure in Norse sagas, was said to have been responsible for the Battle of Svolder, was married to two legendary Viking kings, and was wooed by another. Can we separate fact from fiction to uncover the true inspiration behind this legendary Queen of the North?

07/06/2024

Young English blacksmiths gained practical experience by working directly with master craftsmen at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde.

A replica of the Ladby anchor was created with the help of blacksmithing students from England.

06/06/2024

The Vikings celebrated the summer solstice with lively Midsummer festivals, marking the longest day of the year with joy and festivity. They held communal feasts that featured plenty of food, beer, and mead, alongside traditional dances and games. These celebrations strengthened community bonds and continued to be an essential part of Nordic cultural life for over a millennium.

As the Northern Hemisphere finally enters the warmer months, we look at one of the most important annual celebrations for people in Viking societies, the summer solstice. What is this joyous festival that is celebrated throughout the Nordic world even today?

05/06/2024

The fascinating blend of ancient Norse traditions and emerging Christian beliefs is evident in the beautiful stave church. These medieval wooden structures, which date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, are adorned with motifs from Norse mythology, seamlessly integrated into their mostly Christian designs.

The Eidsborg Stave Church, a historic gem dating back to the 13th century, is not only a site of religious piety, worship, and wonder but also Norway's best-preserved wooden church. Here, we provide all the essential information about this iconic piece of heavenly architecture.

04/06/2024

In 1840, workers in Lancashire discovered the Cuerdale Hoard, a massive collection of over 7,000 Viking items buried around 901, including coins, jewelry, and silver.

During the Industrial Revolution, in what was then the manufacturing heart of England, a group of workers uncovered one of history's greatest archeological finds: the Cuerdale Hoard.

03/06/2024

The Norwegian government is supporting the Saving Oseberg project, which is focused on finding new ways to preserve ancient Viking sleds discovered during the Oseberg archeological excavation in 1904. These sleds are critically deteriorating due to previous preservation efforts and urgently need innovative solutions.

The Saving Oseberg project will receive funding from the Norwegian government as it searches for new methods to preserve the unique Viking sleds found alongside the famous Oseberg ship.

02/06/2024

Viking Age women's clothing was about more than just staying warm – it also said a lot about who they were in society.

Nowadays, Scandinavian fashion dominates the streets and catwalks worldwide. Brands like Acne Studios, Filippa K, H&M, Holzweiler, and By Marlene Birger are seen as fashionably chic and desirable.

01/06/2024

The Viking Herald discusses the analysis of tall skeletons found at Santa Maria di Campogrosso in Sicily with Polish archeologist Sławomir Moździoch.

Skeletons found by a Polish archeology team may have been of Norman origin, but did they come from Scandinavia? In part two of our interview with archeologist Sławomir Moździoch, we delve deeper into the evidence and explore the historical connections between the Vikings and Normans in Sicily.

31/05/2024

The Viking Herald explores the heartland of the Vikings – the Stockholm region – guiding you to various Viking sites and destinations, perfect for a weekend or longer trip.

Angus Carlsson offers an introduction to the rich Viking history in and around Stockholm, guiding readers through significant historical sites, intriguing artifacts, and the profound cultural legacy left by the Vikings in this region of Sweden.

30/05/2024

The NTNU University Museum in Trondheim, Norway, is all set to kick off an exciting new exhibition on June 20th. This exhibition will highlight a remarkable collection of 700 Viking swords and will be on display for three whole years.

Soon to open in Trondheim, the exhibition at the NTNU University Museum will showcase an extensive collection of Viking swords, including the famous Ulfberht swords, as well as various other artifacts from the Viking Age.

29/05/2024

Born in 1701 in Uppsala, Sweden, Anders Celsius was a prominent figure in 18th-century science, excelling in astronomy, mathematics, and physics. He founded the Uppsala Observatory and was instrumental in forming the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

The man who gifted the world the centigrade temperature scale (later renamed in his honor) is buried in the ancient heart of the Viking world. His life story and work show how, during the 18th century, Sweden strove to enter the brave new world of modernity and shed its medieval past.

28/05/2024

The Borgund Stave Church, built around 1180, is one of Norway's best-preserved stave churches and an iconic example of medieval wooden architecture.

Though abandoned as a practicing church in 1868, the Borgund Stave Church has entered the Norwegian consciousness as a national treasure and architectural wonder. Here's everything you need to know about this almost millennium-old holy construction.

27/05/2024

Skalds were important figures in Viking societies, serving as poets who composed and recited poetry to glorify the heroic deeds of their patrons, similar to medieval troubadours or modern political spin doctors.

Whilst their martial prowess and naval skills dominate popular imagination, people from Viking societies also had a softer, more cultured set of skills. Skalds, the fabled poets of the Viking Age, were known for their unique and complex poetic forms and were also crowd-pleasing entertainers.

26/05/2024

The Ribe VikingeCenter in Denmark has meticulously recreated Denmark's first Christian church, originally founded by Bishop Ansgar in 855. To ensure authenticity, they used traditional Viking construction methods and historical research.

The building's interior features Carolingian-style murals and is designed to imitate the experience of attending church in the 9th century.

25/05/2024

In an interview with The Viking Herald, researcher Lukas Kerk discussed a study conducted on the island of Gotland that revealed Vikings used body modifications such as filed teeth and modified skulls.

Researcher discusses why Norse have been found with filed teeth and elongated skulls.

24/05/2024

As Sweden transitioned from paganism to Christianity, it wasn't just a matter of changing gods. Leaders like Olof Skötkonung were at the heart of this transformation, blending old Norse rituals with new Christian practices in a delicate dance of power and faith.

The reign of Swedish King Olof Skötkonung was a historical pivot for the nascent Scandinavian kingdom that saw the transition from pagan beliefs to the worship of the new Christian religion. Why did Sweden reject the old gods for Jesus, and who benefitted from this spiritual paradigm shift?

23/05/2024

[PHOTOS] The Ingólfsskáli veitingahús, just a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik, offers a unique dining experience surrounded by Iceland's striking black volcanic rock and lush pastures. Set in a turf-roofed Viking longhouse with intricate wooden carvings, it gives visitors an authentic taste of Norse history that draws people from all over the world.

For 35 years, this family-run restaurant in Ölfus, Iceland, has provided locals and international visitors alike with exceptional cuisine in a highly evocative setting.

22/05/2024

Hel, the sister of Fenrir, the giant wolf, and Jörmungandr, the world serpent, was appointed by Odin to rule the underworld. All three are Loki's children and play crucial roles in Ragnarök, the prophesied apocalypse.

For people in Viking societies, the Norse mythological being Hel was the ruler of the dead, a figure of quiet reverence and ultimate respect. She played a vital role in their understanding of the afterlife and the natural cycle of life and death.

21/05/2024

The Varangian Guard, made up of elite Viking warriors from the Kievan Rus and Scandinavia, served as the protectors of the Eastern Roman throne and capital. They were known for their loyalty, discipline, and exceptional combat skills, symbolizing imperial strength and security.

More than 20 runestones are dotted throughout the scenic Swedish countryside near the town of Täby. They tell the story of a Viking-era chief, Jarlabanke Ingefatsson, the head of a clan responsible for over 100 men in the surrounding region.

20/05/2024

From the 12th to the 17th centuries, this alliance of mighty trading towns and market guilds dominated the Scandinavian and Baltic regions and left an indelible mark on the region's history.

Long before much of Scandinavia became part of the European Union, many of its towns and cities were part of an influential and powerful trading network: the Hanseatic League.

19/05/2024

The Avaldsnes Viking Festival is one of the oldest celebrations dedicated to the Viking Age in Scandinavia and surely one of the most atmospheric. The festival takes place each June on the tiny island of Bukkøy and welcomes visitors from all around Europe and beyond to experience this historic era in authentic and immersive surroundings.

Preparations are underway for the 2024 edition of the largest Viking festival in western Norway, scheduled for early June.

Address

Website

https://thevikingherald.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nordic history and culture posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Nordic history and culture:

Videos

Christmas magic in Norway 🎄

Would you visit Norway for the holidays? 🎅🎄🎁⛄

Visiting the Lofoten Islands

Norway's lovely Lofoten Islands are a must-visit 😍

Norway's UNESCO sites

Norway has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites 😍 Which would you visit first? 👇

Northern Norway!

Have you visited northern Norway yet? 😍

The fjords of Norway 😍

Norwegian fjords are pure magic. 😍

Shortcuts

Address
Alerts
Contact The Business
Videos
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Country:

City: