Troms Forsvarsmuseum

Troms Forsvarsmuseum is a military museum in Setermoen, in the municipality of Bardu in Troms, northern Norway. It tells the story of the armed forces in this part of the country and belongs to the Midt-Troms Museum network. For anyone interested in military history and hardware, it is one of the more rewarding stops in inland Troms.

What is Troms Forsvarsmuseum?

It is a thematic museum devoted to the Norwegian armed forces. The collection centres on military vehicles and equipment, and the displays cover roughly three hundred years of army presence in the area. The museum is part of Midt-Troms Museum, a consolidated institution spanning nine municipalities in the Midt-Troms region, and is one of the five year-round thematic museums in that network.

What can you see?

The exhibition follows military history through several themes:

• equipment in use since Troms Landforsvar was founded in 1897,
• material from the 1940 campaign, including the battles for Narvik,
• gear from the occupation years of 1940-1945,
• Cold War equipment,
• an exhibition on international operations involving Norwegian soldiers.

Together these show how weapons and the role of the army changed, from local defence, through the Second World War, to modern missions abroad.

Vehicles outdoors

A signature feature is the collection of vehicles displayed outside. A geocaching description mentions around forty historic military vehicles, from jeeps to modern main battle tanks. That figure comes from a user-generated source, so treat it as approximate. For vehicle enthusiasts and photographers, this is the most striking part of a visit.

Where is Setermoen?

Setermoen is the administrative centre of Bardu and lies in the Bardu valley beside the E6, the main road of northern Norway. That makes the museum easy to add to a drive through Troms, for example between Narvik and Tromso. The area has long been associated with the military, which explains why a defence museum stands here.

Practical tips

• Opening hours are listed differently by different sources and may vary by season, so check with the operator, Midt-Troms Museum (mtmu.no), before you go.
• Part of the display is outdoors, so dress for the weather, which can change quickly in northern Norway.
• Allow one to two hours for a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is the museum open all year? Yes, it is one of Midt-Troms Museum's year-round thematic museums, but confirm hours before travelling.

What are the main exhibits? Mostly vehicles and equipment used by the Norwegian armed forces.

What period does the collection cover? From the founding of Troms Landforsvar in 1897, through 1940 and the occupation, to the Cold War and international operations.

Where exactly is the museum? In Setermoen, in Bardu municipality, in the Troms region of northern Norway.