[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Did you know that Viking helmets didn’t actually have horns? Discover the truth about Vikings and some other fascinating facts in Melbourne Museum’s latest temporary exhibition Vikings: Beyond the Legend.
The exhibition includes 430 original artefacts and 40 replicas from the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm via the British Museum. Vikings: Beyond the Legend is the largest collection of Viking artefacts ever to visit Victoria.
At the entrance you’ll see Krampmacken, a replica of an 8.2m Viking merchant boat found in Gotland Island in Sweden in the 1920s.
Inside the dimly lit exhibition hall the display is split into eight themes – family life, homes, religion, death rituals, craftsmanship, raiding and trading culture, and ships.
The exhibition is very text-heavy so will only suit children who are able to read the plaques fluently.
In addition, most of the artefacts are small and not very flashy (other than the runes) so some concentration and focus is required to make the most out of your visit.
Among the rare treasures is one of the finest Thor hammer pendants ever found, picture stones used to mark deaths and important events and swords dating from 700-1100 AD.
I also liked learning about how Old Norse traditions and Christianity co-existed in the Viking Age and that society was split into the aristocracy, the free men and women, and the unfree – a nasty title for the slaves!
On exit check out the cute souvenirs including the knitted viking hats and the rubber duckies – alas, all with horns!
While the exhibition is not necessarily suitable for young children, Melbourne Museum’s school holiday program explores Viking life with activities and displays that are free with museum entry.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”thon-hot-tips-panel”]HOT Tips:
- pram access;
- the exhibition is text-heavy so will only suit children who are able to read the plaques;
- expect to spend 1-2 hours in the exhibition; and
- Melbourne Museum’s school holiday program explores Viking life with activities and displays that are free with museum entry.
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