Vikings are popular. Everybody wants to know more about them. Though you may think of Vikings only as seafaring warriors, they were mainly farmers. They conquered many a-town but were first-rate explorers and traders as well (i.e., discoveries in the West; glassware and rope.) Although the Viking Age only lasted from the 8th through the 11th centuries, the legends live on today.
While in Scandinavia, I sought out as much as I could about the Vikings. I left with some fascinating impressions: intricate wood, metal and stonework; Greek-like cosmology of gods, giants, dwarves and elves; treasures of gold and silver. And those are just a few I learned about in the museums in Denmark, (National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen,) Sweden, (The Swedish History Museum, Stockholm,) and Norway, (the old Viking Ship Museum in Oslo – to reopen as the new Museum of the Viking Age in 2027 with a new building close to the Folk Museum.)
I travel to understand the history and culture of a place and how it affects present day life. Also, it can be aesthetically pleasing too, (e.g., art museums, which we will see in my next post. Stay tuned!) When in Scandinavia, check out your inner Viking at the above places seen in the following video.