The Ibsen-museum in Grimstad

Henrik Ibsen is often referred to as "the father of modern drama" and is one of the world´s greatest playwrights. With over 25,000 registered productions of Ibsen´s plays on theatre stages around the world throughout history, Ibsen is the second most performed playwright after William Shakespeare. His ability to see the "human cause" behind specific social issues makes his 19th-century plays a mirror of the challenges of our time. Ibsen raises questions about freedom, morality, responsibility, identity and truth that are highly relevant today.

It was in Grimstad that Ibsen became Ibsen! Henrik arrived in Grimstad in 1843 at the age of 15 to apprentice at the town´s pharmacy. During the six intense years he lived here, he developed into a pharmacist´s assistant, social critic and author. With a freshly published Catilina in hand, he left the town in 1850 with the clear ambition of working in theatre.

At the museum, visitors can see the original pharmacy where the young Henrik Ibsen worked, and the guardroom where he both lived and wrote his very first play. The museum´s exhibition tells the stories of the rebel, of love interests, friendships, the "illegitimate" child, and of how the young Henrik became one of the world´s greatest playwrights.

OPENING HOURS 2026:

Open every day from 21 June – 9 August, 11:00–16:00.

Please note: A guided tour is required to enter the museum. Tours run daily at 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00, with a maximum of 15 people per tour. The 12:00 and15:00 tours are in English.

Open to groups and individual visitors year-round by prior booking. Book here or contact the museum at +47 370 40 490.