Read more about our interesting heritage
From rock carvings and Vikings to coastal culture and exciting Arctic fishing; the history of Arctic Norway offers captivating insights into the past. Stories from the North, told by famous and beloved writers, painters and artists.
Arctic Norway is a land of different cultures and languages
As far back as we can follow ethnic identities in the North, both Sami and Norse cultures have been present in Arctic Norway. The connections with the Finnish speaking areas to our south east have always been strong, and they were reinforced with immigration in the 18th and 19th centuries. Thus, Arctic Norway is rich in heritage, culture and languages.
“We are all fishermen”
At the important Viking trade centre Haithabu in Northern Germany the archaeologists found a dried cod from Lofoten, fished some 1100 year ago. Fish exports have been the economic foundation of Arctic Norway ever since. Here are some suggestions on where to study history and culture around fishing and the culture of the coast.
Follow the drama of WWII in Arctic Norway
On the 9th of April 1940, the battle of Narvik started, involving many nations. The ensuing occuation involved resistance and the use of slave labour from the Soviet Union and Serbia. At the end of 1944, the entire top end of Arctic Norway was burned down and the people forcibly evacuated. Here are some WWII locations to visit.
