Maihaugen

Table of Contents

Introduction

Maihaugen is an extraordinary open‑air museum located in Lillehammer, Norway, offering immersive journeys through Norwegian cultural and social history. Nestled beside the scenic shores of Lake Mjøsa, this engaging destination presents over 200 authentic historic buildings—ranging from medieval stave churches to 20th century townhouses. Visitors of all ages can wander through charming farmsteads, quaint town streets, and modern residential quarters, experiencing life in Norway as it once was.

About the Museum

Maihaugen is Norway’s largest open‑air museum outside the capital, Oslo, and one of Northern Europe’s most extensive cultural heritage sites. Its collection spans centuries, with structures and artefacts from as early as the twelfth century to contemporary times. A highlight of the museum grounds is the Garmo Stave Church, originally built around 1150 in Lom, relocated to Maihaugen in 1920–21 by Anders Sandvig.

The museum is thoughtfully organised into three main sections:

The Rural Section, showcasing traditional farm buildings, workshops, a school, and a church—set amid pastoral landscapes that reflect life between the 15ᵗʰ and 19ᵗʰ centuries .
The Town Section, recreating an inland town from the early 1900s, complete with shops, a bakery, a post office, a railway station, and Queen Sonja’s 1930s childhood home.
The Residential Area, tracing domestic life through all decades of the 20ᵗʰ century, offering a fascinating contrast of architectural styles and household technologies .

Indoors, the museum features compelling exhibitions, including Impulses, which displays more than eight hundred Norwegian cultural treasures, and We Won the Land, which traces history back to the Ice Age. Additionally, the visitor centre hosts the Norwegian Olympic Museum, chronicling the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer among other global sporting legacies, and the Norwegian Postal Museum, both included in the standard admission price.

The museum’s atmosphere truly comes alive in summer: costumed actors, traditional craftsmen, and farmyard animals such as cows, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, and chickens roam freely, enriching the experience with authentic daily routines and storytelling.

Facilities include a museum shop featuring Norwegian crafts and design, a welcoming café overlooking the stave church and lake, outdoor picnic areas, and accessible pathways suitable for visitors year‑round . The museum supports families with children through interactive treasure hunts, playgrounds, and exhibits tailored to younger guests.

Interesting Facts

Garmo Stave Church, dating from around 1150, was moved from Lom to Maihaugen in 1920–21; it features furnishings from the 17ᵗʰ and 18ᵗʰ centuries and remains one of the museum’s most visited landmarks.
Queen Sonja’s childhood home, built in the 1930s, is open to visitors during the summer season, with window views available year‑round.
The museum’s Impulses exhibition boasts over eight hundred artefacts—hand‑made folk art, textiles, musical instruments, weapons—which highlight Norway’s cultural exchanges with other nations.
The Norwegian Olympic Museum, reopened in 2016, features more than seven thousand Olympic items and is the only museum in northern Europe to trace the full history of the Olympic Games.
The museum organizes an annual programme of themed events, such as walking theatre, treasure hunts, guided tours, and craft demonstrations, tailored to different seasons and holidays.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +476 128 8900

Website: maihaugen.no/

Facebook: facebook.com/maihaugen?fref=ts

Conclusion

Maihaugen is not merely a museum; it is a living, breathing journey through Norwegian heritage. With its idyllic lakeside setting, authentic buildings, lively interactive events, and family‑friendly ambience, it offers a rich and varied experience suitable for all ages. Whether you want to step inside a medieval stave church, wander through a nostalgic 1930s home, meet farm animals grazing in traditional landscapes, or delve into Olympic history, Maihaugen has it all. The seamless blend of indoor exhibitions and outdoor exploration ensures a full‑day experience filled with wonder, education, and enjoyment.

Be sure to check the museum’s calendar for seasonal events and exhibitions, and prepare to take a step back in time at Maihaugen—where Norway’s past lives on in every building, story, and artifact.