The architectural competition for a new Viking ship museum to be built in Roskilde, Denmark, has now entered its final phase. A winner will be announced at a special presentation from 4 pm on January 11.
What is Roskilde?
The Viking Ship Museum, which showcases the five Viking ships uncovered at the nearby Roskilde Fjord in 1962, is a central attraction of the area.
The Skuldelev ships were deliberately sunk just north of Roskilde in 1070 to block the passage of the Peberrenden waterway and defend against potential invasion.
Each different in character and purpose, the vessels have provided a wealth of information from several points of view.
Roskilde, the capital of Denmark from the 11th century until 1443, was a vital trading center during the Viking era, with significant routes over land and sea.
Founded by Harald Bluetooth in the 980s, it was made a bishopric by King Cnut nearly four decades later.
All five Skuldelev ships are on display in the Viking Ship Hall at the Museum after being excavated, raised, documented, conserved, and pieced together.
This initiative at the boatyard not only offers family-friendly entertainment but also serves as a live exhibit, showcasing the team's meticulous work in reconstructing the vessels. Visitors get a unique opportunity to witness the revival of ancient shipbuilding techniques.
Over time, this hands-on approach will further unravel the mysteries of how these historic vessels were originally constructed.
The comprehensive reconstruction of the Skuldelev ships is a project expected to span several years, adding a dynamic and educational dimension to the Viking Ship Museum experience.
- READ MORE: All you need to know about Viking ships
Since its establishment in 1969, the museum has become a hub for preserving Scandinavian nautical history, boasting a collection of more than 40 boats and a shipyard dedicated to reconstructing Viking ships using authentic methods. Photo: Werner Karrasch / The Viking Ship Museum
Who funds the museum?
In November, three skilled teams of architects submitted their final proposals for a new, innovative building for the priceless Skuldelev ships, a change in the landscape around the museum, and a transformation of the Viking Ship Hall.
Currently, the ships are threatened by storm surges and the degrading effect of daylight on the 1,000-year-old timber.
The Viking Ship Museum expects construction of the new museum to begin in 2025. The original museum will remain open while the new one is being built.
The Viking Ship Museum has received private donations totaling DKK 135 million (approximately EUR 18.1 million) from the Villum Foundation, the Augustinus Foundation, and the Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation.
Additionally, it has been granted DKK 150 million and DKK 25 million through financial law grants.
Providing DKK 60 million, the Villum Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports technical and scientific research, as well as environmental, social, and cultural purposes at home and abroad.
It was founded in 1971 by civil engineer Villum Kann Rasmussen, also the founder of, among other things, Velux A/S and other companies in the VKR Group, which aim to bring a better environment closer to people's everyday lives.
Pledging DKK 50 million, the Augustinus Foundation is one of Denmark's major cultural institutions, whose philanthropic work is primarily focused on art and culture but also supports research, education, and social initiatives in Denmark and abroad.
With the backing of DKK 25 million, the Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation is an independent and private body whose purpose is to support projects that enrich society, its community, continued development, and well-being.
On the initiative of director and civil engineer Mrs. Johanne Louis-Hansen, the Aage Louis-Hansen Memorial Fund was established in 1969. The fund later changed its name to the current Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation.
A finance act grant of DKK 150 million has also been secured to preserve the five Viking ships for posterity, while the Roskilde Municipality has set aside DKK 25 million for the new Viking Ship Museum.
The Viking Ship Museum, bolstered by donations and grants, is gearing up for the 2025 construction of a new building to protect the Skuldelev ships and enhance the museum experience. Photo: Jami430 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A new museum for 2028
The judging committee is now faced with a difficult decision, as all three entries merit inclusion.
"These are three very strong proposals that offer completely different takes on how the vision for our new Viking Ship Museum can be realized," says Tinna Damgaard-Sørensen, director of the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde and a judging committee member.
"The exciting process is coming to an end. It is a challenging task, but I am sure that we will soon be able to welcome a fantastic new Viking Ship Museum."
Construction will begin in 2025, and the Viking Ship Museum will remain open throughout the period until the winter of 2028.
The project will not only ensure the preservation of the Viking ships but also establish a tangible connection between the museum, the coast, and the fjord.
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