VIKING SHIP MUSEUM
Built on the edge of the fjord, this concrete and glass museum is designed as a showcase for the stars of the place: five large millennium boats discovered in the late 1950s. These boats had been deliberately sunk around the year 1000 to block an invasion. In 1962, water was pumped out around the wrecks to recover 100,000 numbered and meticulously readjusted fragments. A fabulous puzzle! The visit starts with the 14-minute film "Cinq Bateaux Vikings de Skuldelev", in French.
Among the five boats found at the bottom of the fjord, one of them was almost 30 m long! It was launched in 2004, and just like the original in 1042, made the crossing to Dublin with about 60 rowers on board in 2005. The other four replicas are docked in the harbor of this open-air museum. During its construction, nine other boats were found: seven dating from the Middle Ages, two from the Viking period.
The shipyard is located on the lake near the museum. The public is welcome and has the opportunity to observe the work of the workers up close. The traditional construction of the ships is clapboarded.
The shipyard specializes in the restoration and reconstruction of prehistoric boats, in real size according to the methods of the time. But new boats are also built on the basis of ancient traditions. Orders come from private individuals and other maritime museums.
Beau film à l'entrée qui explique les techniques de conservation des bateaux
On peut monter à bord des différents navires à quai et se prendre l'espace d'un instant pour un viking! :-)
On voit les artisans s’affairer à la construction de nouvelles embarcations.
Plusieurs reconstitutions en intérieur avec commentaires en français.
Des costumes vikings, à disposition pour se prendre en photo dans la peau de Ragnar