The Polar Museum sits in a wharf house from 1837 on the Tromsø waterfront. It was established in 1978 and tells the story of Tromsø as the launching point for Arctic expeditions and the centre of Arctic hunting in Norway.
Tromsø was where the expeditions were organised. Amundsen bought his ship Gjøa here in 1901. Nansen and Nobile recruited their crews from the experienced Arctic hunters and sailors in the city. The museum covers this history with original equipment, photographs, and recreated interiors from hunting cabins on Svalbard.
The permanent exhibitions include sections on seal hunting, wintering on the ice, and the major Norwegian polar expeditions. It is not large, but the quality of the objects and the setting in the old wharf building make it worthwhile. About an hour is enough.
Tromsø was where the expeditions were organised. Amundsen bought his ship Gjøa here in 1901. Nansen and Nobile recruited their crews from the experienced Arctic hunters and sailors in the city. The museum covers this history with original equipment, photographs, and recreated interiors from hunting cabins on Svalbard.
The permanent exhibitions include sections on seal hunting, wintering on the ice, and the major Norwegian polar expeditions. It is not large, but the quality of the objects and the setting in the old wharf building make it worthwhile. About an hour is enough.