About this place
Steilneset Memorial in Vardø is a monument to the victims of the 17th-century witch trials, set in Finnmark, in Norway's far north. It was designed by architect Peter Zumthor and artist Louise Bourgeois and opened in 2011. For Bourgeois it was the last major work of her career.
What does the memorial commemorate?
The monument remembers 91 people condemned and executed for witchcraft, most of them burned at the stake. One source puts the numbers at 77 women and girls and 14 men. The idea began in 2000, when Vardø Municipality was establishing the Millennium Site and decided to build a memorial to the victims. It stands near the assumed execution site, with a view of the old church and the fortress.
What will you see?
The memorial has two separate parts.
Zumthor's structure. The first building is a pine scaffolding frame holding a suspended fabric cocoon. Inside runs a long corridor with an oak floor. Along it are 91 small windows, each with a light bulb hanging behind it and a plaque telling the story of one victim. Walking the corridor means reading the stories one after another.
Bourgeois's installation. The second part is Louise Bourgeois's piece The Damned, The Possessed and The Beloved, housed in a separate smoked-glass building. It was her last major installation before her death.
Why visit?
Steilneset joins architecture and contemporary art with a difficult chapter of the region's history. The place is quiet and reflective, and the row of 91 lights in a single corridor shows the scale of the tragedy without needless drama. It suits visitors interested in modern architecture, Norwegian history, and the work of Zumthor and Bourgeois.
Vardø lies at the north-eastern edge of Norway, in Vardø Municipality, Finnmark. The memorial pairs well with a walk around the area and a visit to the fortress, which can be seen from the memorial grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Steilneset Memorial? In the town of Vardø, Vardø Municipality, Finnmark, Norway.
Who designed it? Peter Zumthor designed the corridor structure, and Louise Bourgeois created the installation in the glass building.
When did it open? In 2011.
How many people does it commemorate? 91 people executed in witch trials in the 17th century. Each has a window and a plaque telling their story.
What do the lights in the corridor mean? Each of the 91 bulbs hangs behind a window dedicated to one victim, forming a row of lights of remembrance.
Was this Louise Bourgeois's last work? Yes, it was her last major installation before she died.
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