WELCOME TO

Tromsø's Arctic Museums, Norway

In Tromsø, Norway, there is a university museum called Tromsø University Museum. One of Northern Norway's oldest scientific establishments, it was founded in 1872 and has been a component of the University of Tromsø since 1977. Since its founding in 1870 in response to a regional exhibition, the museum has expanded from a modest establishment with few professional employees to a cultural and academic hub with a collection of around two million artifacts. The main Tromsø Museum building, the Polar Museum in the city center, the seal-hunting ship M/S Polstjerna, and the Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden in Breivika are the four public departments that make up the museum.The museum has focused on Sami culture, archaeology, natural sciences, and Arctic research throughout its existence. Since 1973, one of its most important and enduring permanent displays has been the "Samekulturen" exhibition on Sami culture. The museum continues to be a significant institution for public education and research, drawing over 80,000 visitors a year.P. Schmidt, a schoolteacher, initially suggested the idea of a museum in Tromsø in 1846 when he wrote an article supporting a natural history museum in the local newspaper. This project was sparked by Schmidt's cooperation with marine biologist Michael Sars, who asked him to help gather specimens from northern maritime fauna for the "Fauna littoralis Norwegiae" project.

TRAIN TRAVEL JOURNEY Get Inspired

Experience luxury and adventure together as you travel some of Europe's most breathtaking rail routes, passing through well-known tourist spots and taking in stunning landscapes, tunnels, and mountains.

Explore Train Routes

No Train travel Destinations Found!

Top Travel Partners

Norway Visa

Popular Flights in Norway