Viking Ship Museum

The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde is a maritime museum displaying five original Viking vessels from the 11th century alongside archaeological discoveries. The ships are housed in a contemporary building overlooking Roskilde Fjord, with exhibits that explain their construction, use, and the lives of the people who sailed them.

Five ships were deliberately sunk around 1070 at Skuldelev to defend Roskilde from attack. Archaeologists discovered and raised the wrecks in 1962, revealing exceptional details about Viking shipbuilding technology.

The site demonstrates how ships were central to Viking society and trade, with ongoing work showing traditional boatbuilding methods still used today. The active shipyard connects visitors to the practical skills that enabled these seafaring communities to thrive.

The museum offers guided tours where visitors can examine the ships closely and learn details about their origins and builders. During warmer months, sailing trips on reconstructed Viking vessels provide hands-on experiences with traditional navigation methods.

The attached research lab allows visitors to watch archaeologists working in real time on newly discovered wrecks from Danish waters. This direct access to ongoing excavation and analysis reveals how experts carefully document and preserve ancient vessels.

Location: Roskilde Municipality

Inception: 1962

Official opening: 1969

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

Address: Vindeboder 12, 4000 Roskilde

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-16:00+

Website: http://vikingeskibsmuseet.dk

GPS coordinates: 55.65014,12.07894

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02