Located inside Europe's largest glass structure, these 12th-century cathedral ruins house Viking artifacts, while a medieval herb garden grows 400 plant species used in ancient medicine.
At Domkirkeodden Museum in Hamar, you can walk through Europe's largest glass structure protecting a 12th-century cathedral's ruins, see Viking artifacts in an 18th-century barn, and learn about medieval medicine in Norway's largest ecological herb garden with 400 plant species. The museum comes alive during summer events like the Medieval Festival, where you can experience historical crafts and music.
The 2,600-meter steel-and-glass structure covering the cathedral ruins creates unique acoustics, which guides demonstrate through singing performances. You can view the medieval limestone walls from multiple angles year-round, as the glass enclosure protects them from weather damage while maintaining visibility.
You'll find the main exhibitions inside Storhamarlåven, an 18th-century barn that incorporates parts of the medieval bishop's palace walls. Architect Sverre Fehn integrated modern museum spaces within this historic structure while keeping its original elements intact. The collections include archaeological finds from the Viking era through the Middle Ages, showing how people lived and worked in the region.
Walk through paths lined with nearly 400 different plant varieties in the ecological herb garden. During guided tours, you'll learn how medieval doctors and cooks used these plants. The garden maintains historical planting patterns and follows organic growing methods throughout the year.
Construction of the cathedral began in 1152 when Hamar became a diocese, establishing itself as an important religious center between Oslo and Trondheim. The building remained active until 1567, when Swedish soldiers damaged it during the Nordic Seven Years War. Today, archaeologists continue preservation work on the ruins and courtyard foundations.
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