Nordic Bible Museum

Nordic Bible Museum (Nobimu) is a Bible museum in central Oslo and the first of its kind in the Nordic countries. It stands at Nedre Slottsgate 4C and shows books that were translated, copied and printed over many centuries. It suits anyone interested in the history of the book, language and religion.

What is the Nordic Bible Museum?

It is run as a foundation with its own board. Its purpose is to make the content of the Bible accessible and known to a wide audience. The museum is financed through charity work, private funds and gifts. It was started by Bible collector Rune Arnhoff, and his collection formed the core of the exhibition. The museum opened on 31 May 2018 (the museum's own press release gives 1 June).

What can you see?

The main collection holds over 4,500 Bibles, while a 2022 museum press release speaks of more than 6,000. Highlights include:

• an edition of Gustav Vasa's Bible from 1541,
• an original page from a Gutenberg Bible,
• a Latin Bible from 1487,
• handwritten pages from around 1250.

Together these items trace the road from manuscript to print. You can see how script, page layout and craftsmanship changed over time.

Visiting

The museum is open six days a week. A guided tour is included in the admission price, so you can hear the story of the collection at no extra cost. Check nobimu.no for current hours and prices.

The virtual museum

Since 2022 Nobimu has also offered an online version. It has 12 uniquely modeled virtual rooms and more than 100 selected Bibles. It is a good way to prepare for a visit or to explore the collection from home.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Nordic Bible Museum? In central Oslo, at Nedre Slottsgate 4C.

When did it open? In 2018, as the first Bible museum in the Nordic countries.

Does the guided tour cost extra? No, it is included in admission.

Can I visit online? Yes, a virtual museum with 12 rooms and over 100 Bibles has been available since 2022.

Who created the collection? Collector Rune Arnhoff started it.

Who is it for?

The museum will appeal to lovers of old books, printing history and Scandinavian culture. It also fits easily into a walk through central Oslo, and a guided visit does not take much time.