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The UNESCO protected town of Røros, Norway Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic life/Innovation Norway

History and tradition

Travel back in time and learn about Norway’s rich heritage, including Vikings and the Sami.

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The UNESCO protected town of Røros, Norway - Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic life/Innovation Norway

History and tradition

Travel back in time and learn about Norway’s rich heritage, including Vikings and the Sami.

History and tradition

Source: Visitnorway

Norwegian history

Historical milestones

The earliest signs of human settlement in Norway date back to 9000 BC. Norway was united to one kingdom 900 AD and got its own constitution in 1814.

The Vikings

The Vikings built longships and raided Europe as traders and warriors.

Stave churches

Stave churches are an important part of Norway's architectural heritage. Urnes Stave Church in the Sognefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Norway's remaining stave churches

Urnes Stave Church in Luster, beside the Sognefjord, is on the prestigious UNESCO's World Heritage List. Altogether Norway has 28 stave churches.

Religion in Norway

Norse mythology held sway until Norway became Christian around the year 1000. Today there is religious freedom.

Nansen Amundsen Year 2011

In 2011 it is 100 years since Amundsen reached the South Pole, and 150 since Nansen was born. Many events focus on the two famous Norwegian explorers.

Polar explorers

Roald Amundsen was the first man in history to reach the South Pole, on 14 December 1911. He is only one of several great Norwegian polar explorers.

Norway's national day

17 May is Norway's Constitution Day and is celebrated with children's parades and festivities.

National costumes

The Norwegian national costumes came into existence about 100 years ago when a wave of national romanticism swept across the country.

The Pilgrims' Route to Trondheim

The old Pilgrims' Route between Oslo and Nidarosdomen Cathedral in Trondheim was reopened the summer of 1997.

The history of skiing

People have been skiing for more than 4,000 years in Norway. In fact, this is where skiing first became a sport.

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