Zach goes Viking

Vikings in Germany?  We were surprised, too until we looked at the maps and discovered Haithabu in the northern finger of German just a few miles from the Danish border.  We loved taking the train all the way to Hamburg (sadly, there was no time to stop for a burger!) and one more train to Schleswig where we spent the night at a fantastic wellness hotel (Hotel Waldschlösschen) before our exploring day.  We spent a long time in December learning about the Vikings, so this was a great way to finish up!

The Wikinger Museum is a series of buildings overlooking a beautiful lake which eventually connects to the Baltic Sea.  Skillfully arranged with artifacts and interactive displays, the museum is well marked to correspond to the English reading guide.  

Upon entering, large maps reminded us where the Frankish kingdom (Charlemagne 742-814 CE) battled the Slavs, Frisians and Danes (Vikings) over hundreds of years for control of this major passageway.

One of the many interesting artifact displays

gold and silver jewelry dating to Carolingians (Charlemagne's time @800 CE)

Haithabu was the largest trading post in northern Europe at the time of the Vikings:  it's unique position made it "simple" (all things considered) to move goods from the Baltic to the North Sea by navigating little rivers and then ox-cart transporting the goods from one ship overland to the waiting ship on the other side.  Evidence of trade (coins, jewelry, weapons, dishes, games (Hnefetafl), iron, furs) from the far reaches of the earth -- Byzantine, Baghdad, China, Russia and Spanish Moors--was discovered by archeologists researching in this area.   The remnants of a viking ship (and a reconstructed model) were displayed in a room looking out over the water and surrounded by videos showing re-enacted scenes from medieval times.

What's left of a Viking ship....

Some aspects of the museum, while not interactive, were certainly interesting to view and learn from.  How does one display small pieces of a culture which existed 1000 years ago and make it engaging?  The curators of this treasure have certainly preserved it well.  

Game treasure chest-original artifact!

All around one room were maps and names of famous cities from the 1000s around the world that came into contact with the people of Haitheby.

Just offshore, archeologists found piles of animal bones in the water:  apparently a medieval trash dump full of clues into the daily lives of these people.

A beautiful walk thru the countryside and down closer to the water, we were able to view a reconstructed model of the original Viking village.  Standing on the 1000 year old rampart overlooking the village, we learned how this giant hill likely helped these folks guard their village for many years.

Reconstructed Viking village        

Viking Leif-Zach

The village was closed for the winter, but in spring/summer, it is a beehive of activity for visitors: showcasing life in a typical village and inviting guests to immerse themselves in the culture:  weaving, iron making, bread baking, etc.  A couple of workers on site allowed us to walk thru the village anyway so we could look thru the windows and admire the setting.  We had to hop the fence when we were finished at their suggestion (or walk all the way around the large enclosure.)  Suffice it to say, I really wish I had not succumbed to the peer pressure of a 10 year old who easily hopped the fence...


The Wikinger Museum definitely stands out among museum greats in Europe and if you're traveling north, it is well worth the time spent!

oven inside a home

 

Rune stone in the village

Wikinger Museum 
Opening hours:
March thru Oktober
open daily from  9:00 to 17:00

November thru  March
Tuesday-Sunday:  10-16:00 (viking houses closed this time of year)

Am Haddebyer Noor 5
24866 Busdorf