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    History
    Every time you see the golden domes of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, the shiny glimmer should remind you of Ukraine's rich Viking heritage.

    The Viking past of Ukraine: A short introduction
    News
    The festival will see Viking reenactors make their return.

    Vikings to appear at the Milton Keynes History Festival in May
    Legacy
    TV companies and streaming services have taken note of the demand for Viking content.

    As the corona pandemic subsides, film and TV teams show renewed interest in Vikings
    Culture&religion
    Despite using a different calendar to what we in the Western world use, some of the holidays that the Vikings celebrated would be familiar to us.

    What are the most important Viking holidays?

    Popular Stories

    History
    Every time you see the golden domes of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, the shiny glimmer should remind you of Ukraine's rich Viking heritage.

    The Viking past of Ukraine: A short introduction
    News
    The festival will see Viking reenactors make their return.

    Vikings to appear at the Milton Keynes History Festival in May
    Legacy
    TV companies and streaming services have taken note of the demand for Viking content.

    As the corona pandemic subsides, film and TV teams show renewed interest in Vikings
    Culture&religion
    Despite using a different calendar to what we in the Western world use, some of the holidays that the Vikings celebrated would be familiar to us.

    What are the most important Viking holidays?

    News
    The photo shows the individual lying on top with the skull of skeleton 2 lying under. It's apparent that the top skeleton's arm is raised above his head.

    Mystery grave in Oslo gives up some of its secrets: "Skeletons could date to reign of Inge Krokrygg, King of Norway"

    In 2020, the archaeologists at the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) announced an exciting discovery in Oslo – an ancient grave containing three skeletons. Now, they have gathered additional information on the mystery grave.
    The photo shows the individual lying on top with the skull of skeleton 2 lying under. It's apparent that the top skeleton's arm is raised above his head.

    Mystery grave in Oslo gives up some of its secrets: "Skeletons could date to reign of Inge Krokrygg, King of Norway"

    In 2020, the archaeologists at the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) announc...
    In the run-up to Christmas of 2021, two runic inscriptions were discovered during excavations in Oslo's old town.
    New runic artifacts discovered during excavation at the Medieval Park in Oslo's old town
    Estrid Byrding is the latest Viking ship built at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde.
    New Viking ship replica launched in Roskilde gets interesting name
    NIKU's Causevic points out that elite members of society at the time were often buried in such structures.
    Recently discovered Viking boat grave in Norway may hold remains of royals, archaeologists say

    News

     In the run-up to Christmas of 2021, two runic inscriptions were discovered during excavations in Oslo's old town.

    New runic artifacts discovered during excavation at the Medieval Park in Oslo's old town

    Archaeologists excavating the Medieval Park in Oslo's old town have discovered eight new finds of runic objects from medieval Oslo (three of bone, three of wood, one of metal, and one possibly of horn). In addition, there is a find of a piece of bone with script-like markings.
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    Featured Stories

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    Much of the life of Olaf II Haraldsson is steeped in a mixture of lore, legend, and long tales.

    Who was Olaf II Haraldsson, Norway’s famous Saint and King?

    Read Story
    The collection is part of the so-called Everlöv Hoard.

    Rescued Swedish Viking hoard to go on display in museums instead of being sold to private buyers

    Read Story
    The "Sverd i fjell" monument consists of three huge 10-meter-high bronze swords, firmly planted in the ground.

    Sverd i fjell: The amazing Viking monument in Norway

    Read Story
    Ragnar Lothbrok spent much of his life as a pirate and raider.

    Who was the real Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the most famous Viking warriors?

    Read Story

    Featured Stories

    Much of the life of Olaf II Haraldsson is steeped in a mixture of lore, legend, and long tales.

    Who was Olaf II Haraldsson, Norway’s famous Saint and King?

    Read Story
    The collection is part of the so-called Everlöv Hoard.

    Rescued Swedish Viking hoard to go on display in museums instead of being sold to private buyers

    Read Story
    The "Sverd i fjell" monument consists of three huge 10-meter-high bronze swords, firmly planted in the ground.

    Sverd i fjell: The amazing Viking monument in Norway

    Read Story
    Ragnar Lothbrok spent much of his life as a pirate and raider.

    Who was the real Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the most famous Viking warriors?

    Read Story

    Trade
    Silver and other precious metals were used as means of trade, and in rarer cases, jewelry. 

    Viking money and economy: How did they work?

    In the beginning, Vikings were mostly farmers who lived off the crops and other fruits of their labor. 
    Silver and other precious metals were used as means of trade, and in rarer cases, jewelry. 

    Viking money and economy: How did they work?

    In the beginning, Vikings were mostly farmers who lived off the crops and other fruits of their labo...
    A depiction of a Viking longship.
    The Viking economy: Farming, raiding, and trading in Viking society
    Vikings bought a rich plethora of items and materials on their voyages, including wine, pottery, silk, silver, and spices.
    What did Vikings trade?
    The trading towns' population consisted mostly of merchants and craftsmen.
    The importance of Viking trading towns: What we know

    Trade

     Silver and other precious metals were used as means of trade, and in rarer cases, jewelry. 

    Viking money and economy: How did they work?

    In the beginning, Vikings were mostly farmers who lived off the crops and other fruits of their labor. 
    SEE ALL STORIES

    Warfare
    Researchers believe that spears were mostly used as one-handed weapons.

    Viking spears: Odin's weapon of choice

    Odin, the ruler of the gods in Norse mythology, used the spear Gungir as his weapon of choice. Good enough for Odin? Good enough for Viking warriors.
    Researchers believe that spears were mostly used as one-handed weapons.

    Viking spears: Odin's weapon of choice

    Odin, the ruler of the gods in Norse mythology, used the spear Gungir as his weapon of choice. Good...
    Vikings didn't follow any singular "war ethic," they pillaged holy places, didn't have arranged times of battle, and similar.
    Viking warfare: What did Viking battle tactics look like? 
    While knives were regularly used in battle, they were also considered an essential utility tool during Viking campaigns.
    Viking knives: Close-quarter combat necessities
    Viking swords were crafted out of iron, and single-hand, double-edged swords were preferred.
    Viking swords: Deadly weapons and status symbols

    Warfare

     Vikings didn't follow any singular "war ethic," they pillaged holy places, didn't have arranged times of battle, and similar.

    Viking warfare: What did Viking battle tactics look like? 

    Vikings were known for their raids and piracy in many parts of Europe during the Viking Age, which refers to the period from 793 AD to 11th century AD. 
    SEE ALL STORIES

    Culture&religion
    Despite using a different calendar to what we in the Western world use, some of the holidays that the Vikings celebrated would be familiar to us.

    What are the most important Viking holidays?

    The Vikings, like many other pagan cultures, celebrated particular holidays that marked different periods of the year. Prior to the Christianization in the early medieval period, the most important Viking holidays were based on the lunisolar calendar. 
    Despite using a different calendar to what we in the Western world use, some of the holidays that the Vikings celebrated would be familiar to us.

    What are the most important Viking holidays?

    The Vikings, like many other pagan cultures, celebrated particular holidays that marked different pe...
    Wedding handfasting is a symbolic ritual, and it is a part of a pagan wedding tradition.
    What is Viking handfasting? 
    Vidar was the son of the giantess Griðr and Odin. He was known as "the silent god."
    What is known about Odin's mysterious son, Vidar?
    Odin felt lonely during his travels and battles, so he created Geri and Freki.
    Geri and Freki: Odin's loyal wolves

    Culture&religion

     Despite using a different calendar to what we in the Western world use, some of the holidays that the Vikings celebrated would be familiar to us.

    What are the most important Viking holidays?

    The Vikings, like many other pagan cultures, celebrated particular holidays that marked different periods of the year. Prior to the Christianization in the early medieval period, the most important Viking holidays were based on the lunisolar calendar. 
    SEE ALL STORIES

    History
    lavery was not only a sad fact of life for many in Viking society, but it was also a vital cog in its functioning.

    What was the role of slavery in Viking society?

    The role of slavery was vital to the economic, political, and social functioning of Viking societies. 
    lavery was not only a sad fact of life for many in Viking society, but it was also a vital cog in its functioning.

    What was the role of slavery in Viking society?

    The role of slavery was vital to the economic, political, and social functioning of Viking societies...
    Statue of Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir and her son Snorri. The statue is located in Glaumbær, Iceland.
    Did Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir, a Viking woman, set foot in the Americas 500 years before Columbus?
    Harald Fairhair was crowned King of Norway by the time he was 20.
    Who was Harald Fairhair, the first King of Norway?
    According to the Norse sagas, a huge flotilla of more than 120 ships carrying 5,000 warriors sailed up the Seine to the Île de la Cité.
    What happened when the Vikings laid siege to Paris?

    History

     lavery was not only a sad fact of life for many in Viking society, but it was also a vital cog in its functioning.

    What was the role of slavery in Viking society?

    The role of slavery was vital to the economic, political, and social functioning of Viking societies. 
    SEE ALL STORIES

    Legacy
    The Creator 3-in-1 set features a Viking ship, a Viking House, and a Fenris Wolf that can be built with the same set of bricks.

    LEGO reveals official images for new Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent set

    As summer draws near, LEGO’s summer line-up is slowly taking shape. The company has now released official photos for a product due out in June – the latest Creator 3-in-1 involving a new Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent set.
    The Creator 3-in-1 set features a Viking ship, a Viking House, and a Fenris Wolf that can be built with the same set of bricks.

    LEGO reveals official images for new Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent set

    As summer draws near, LEGO’s summer line-up is slowly taking shape. The company has now released off...
    The "Sverd i fjell" monument consists of three huge 10-meter-high bronze swords, firmly planted in the ground.
    Sverd i fjell: The amazing Viking monument in Norway
    TV companies and streaming services have taken note of the demand for Viking content.
    As the corona pandemic subsides, film and TV teams show renewed interest in Vikings
    "Valhalla," the sequel to Michael Hirst's series "Vikings," has proven to be very popular with Netflix audiences.
    Resident in Ireland? You're in luck - Netflix is looking for extras for its new "Vikings: Valhalla" series

    Legacy

     The Creator 3-in-1 set features a Viking ship, a Viking House, and a Fenris Wolf that can be built with the same set of bricks.

    LEGO reveals official images for new Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent set

    As summer draws near, LEGO’s summer line-up is slowly taking shape. The company has now released official photos for a product due out in June – the latest Creator 3-in-1 involving a new Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent set.
    SEE ALL STORIES

    Scandinavia
    Interested in Viking culture and history? Viking museums are a great place to see items and relics from the Viking Age.

    Viking museums in Norway

    The popularity of Viking culture has increased a lot in the last decades through TV shows, music, and a general interest in the culture, customs, and life of the warriors of old. Vikings have also influenced the world of video games, anime, and cosplay.
    Interested in Viking culture and history? Viking museums are a great place to see items and relics from the Viking Age.

    Viking museums in Norway

    The popularity of Viking culture has increased a lot in the last decades through TV shows, music, an...
    Let's delve into the countries that make up Scandinavia.
    An introduction to the Scandinavian countries
    In English, the term Scandinavia usually refers to the countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
    What is Scandinavia?
    The Roman author Pliny the Elder was not alone in his belief that Scandinavia was an island.
    Ancient descriptions of Scandinavia: Cryptic and interesting

    Scandinavia

     Interested in Viking culture and history? Viking museums are a great place to see items and relics from the Viking Age.

    Viking museums in Norway

    The popularity of Viking culture has increased a lot in the last decades through TV shows, music, and a general interest in the culture, customs, and life of the warriors of old. Vikings have also influenced the world of video games, anime, and cosplay.
    SEE ALL STORIES

    PHOTO GALLERIES

    Oseberg ship burial mound
    Excavation of the Oseberg ship in 1904
    Gjellestad ship keel
    The excavation of the Gjellestad Viking ship
    Fjord in Norway 2
    Wow: 11 amazing photos of Norwegian fjords