Buekorps Museum

Buekorps Museum (Buekorpsmuseet) is a small museum in Bergen, Norway, devoted entirely to buekorps, the city's traditional neighborhood youth marching groups. It offers a look into a local custom that most visitors have never heard of.

What is buekorps?

Buekorps is a Bergen tradition in which groups of young people march through the streets in uniform, with drums and flags. Each corps comes from a particular part of the city. Bergen currently has 14 active buekorps with about 1,000 members in total. The museum explains where the tradition comes from and what it looks like today.

What can you see inside?

The collection covers both active corps and some that have disbanded. Exhibits include flags, medals, sabers and drums, the props that make up any parade. The museum also hosts a rotating display run by the active corps themselves, so the exhibition changes and shows the tradition through its participants' eyes.

Space is limited, so only part of the collection is on display. A visit is short, and reviewers praise the knowledgeable staff.

Where is it, and what is the building?

The museum is in Murhvelvingen, at the entrance to Gågaten, the pedestrian street in central Bergen. The building has 16th-century roots: Murhvelvingen was built as a private residence after the great fire of 1561. The current pavilion was built after the fire of 1702. The museum has been open since 1977. Address: Murhvelvingen, 5012 Bergen.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission free? According to available information, yes, admission is free.

When is it open? Published hours are Saturday 12:00–15:00 and Sunday 14:00–17:00, closed on weekdays. These come from a seasonal listing, so check buekorpsmuseet.no before you go.

How long does a visit take? The exhibition is small, so a short stop is usually enough. It pairs well with a walk through central Bergen.

Who is it for? Anyone curious about local traditions, city history and youth culture in Norway. It complements the main sights of Bergen well.