Maihaugen

Maihaugen is an open-air museum of Norwegian culture in Lillehammer, Norway, and one of the town's most visited attractions. With close to 200 buildings, it ranks among the largest open-air museums in Northern Europe and is one of the largest cultural institutions in the country.

What is Maihaugen?

Maihaugen shows how Norwegians lived over the centuries, from rural farmsteads and outbuildings to urban townscapes. The buildings were not constructed for the museum. They were moved from different parts of the country and re-erected on the grounds. The site is divided into three main areas, and a visit feels like a walk through Norway's past on a national scale.

How did the museum begin?

The story goes back to 1887. Anders Sandvig, a dentist who had moved to Lillehammer in 1885, began collecting old objects and buildings, setting up the first of them in his own garden. The town council offered him a permanent site in 1901, and on 2 July 1904 the open-air museum opened under the name Maihaugen – De Sandvigske Samlinger. Sandvig led it until 1946. Since 2011, Maihaugen has been part of the Lillehammer Museum foundation.

What should you see?

One of the highlights is the wooden Garmo stave church. It was dismantled in 1882 and sold to Sandvig, who brought it to Lillehammer. It was re-erected at Maihaugen in 1920–1921. The church is still in use, including for weddings.

Beyond it, the collection includes dozens of farms and houses from various regions, plus urban buildings that let you compare rural and town life.

Who is it for?

The museum suits anyone interested in history, timber architecture and Norwegian traditions. Because of the size of the site and the number of buildings, plan plenty of time and wear comfortable shoes. Much of the visit is outdoors, so check the weather forecast first.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Maihaugen? In Lillehammer, Norway, at roughly 61.113 N, 10.478 E.

How many buildings are there? Close to 200.

Who founded Maihaugen? Dentist Anders Sandvig, who began collecting in 1887 and opened the museum in 1904.

Is there a stave church at Maihaugen? Yes, the Garmo stave church, re-erected here in 1920–1921.

Is Maihaugen connected to Sigrid Undset? Maihaugen belongs to the Lillehammer Museum foundation, which also includes Bjerkebæk, the former home of the writer Sigrid Undset in Lillehammer.

Can I combine the visit with other sights in town? Yes. Several museum sites in Lillehammer sit under one foundation, which makes it easy to plan a day around the history of the region.