For some reason, the descendants of the warlike Vikings are today considered an extremely peace-loving nation. However, this country has its own military history, which you can explore by visiting the Armed Forces Museum. There you will learn about the constant wars fought by neighboring Denmark and Sweden, while Norway found itself on one or the other side of the conflicts, and often this happened against the will of ordinary Norwegians.
The museum is located on the grounds of the medieval Akershus Castle, where the Oslo garrison and the Arsenal were based for a long time, and during the Second World War this place was favored by Gestapo officers.
After the end of the most terrible war of the 20th century, in 1946, the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum was opened to the public. It was formed as a result of the merger of the Artillery Museum, founded in 1860, and the Commissariat Museum, founded in 1928.
The exhibition is divided into six thematic sections, each of which illustrates a particular historical period, beginning with ancient times and the Vikings, and ending with the present day. Part of the museum's exhibition is located outdoors: tanks and cannons are displayed here. Inside, you can see military uniforms from different historical eras, mines, grenades, firearms, and edged weapons.
