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HOT: Vikings: Beyond the Legend, Melbourne Museum

[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.

vikings melbourne museum

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.

vikings melbourne museum

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.

vikings melbourne museum

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.

vikings melbourne museum

The exhibition is very text-heavy so will only suit children who are able to read the plaques fluently.

vikings melbourne museum

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.

vikings melbourne museum

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.

vikings melbourne museum

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!

vikings melbourne museum

On exit check out the cute souvenirs including the knitted viking hats and the rubber duckies – alas, all with horns!

vikings melbourne museum

vikings melbourne museum

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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About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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