Fram Museum, Maritime polar exploration museum in Bygdøy, Oslo, Norway
The Fram Museum on the Bygdøy peninsula houses the original wooden polar ship Fram, which reached farther north and farther south than any other sailing vessel during its three major expeditions. The building wraps around the ship, allowing visitors to view it from multiple levels and walk through its cabins and decks.
The building opened on May 20, 1936, to honor Norwegian polar explorers Nansen, Sverdrup, and Amundsen and preserve the ship for future generations. The ship itself was built in 1892 and completed its final voyage in 1912 before being permanently displayed here.
The name comes from the ship itself, which means forward in Norwegian and reflects the explorers' aim to push boundaries in unknown territories. Guests walk inside the actual vessel and see cramped sleeping quarters, navigation instruments, and cooking areas exactly as the crews used them during months in polar ice.
The site opens year-round, including weekends and public holidays, with combination tickets available for the Norwegian Maritime Museum and the Kon-Tiki Museum nearby. Stairs lead to upper viewing levels around the ship, so visitors with limited mobility should consider this when planning their visit.
A polar simulator lets visitors feel the extreme cold and wind conditions that crews endured in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. An interactive display about the northern lights also offers scientific explanations and accounts from expedition members who witnessed this natural phenomenon during their travels.
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