Tønsberg claims to be the oldest city in Norway, founded around 871 AD according to the sagas. Whether or not the exact date holds up to scrutiny, there is no question that this was one of the most important places in Viking-age Scandinavia. The Oseberg ship, the most richly furnished Viking burial ever found, was excavated just outside town, and the royal fortress on Slottsfjellet was a seat of power throughout the Middle Ages.
Today Tønsberg is a lively summer town. The waterfront along Brygga buzzes with restaurants, bars, and boat traffic from June to August, when Norwegians from Oslo flood in for weekends on the coast. The medieval festival in June fills the castle hill with jousting, markets, and concerts. At Vikingodden by the harbour, volunteers build full-scale Viking ship replicas using only authentic tools, including Saga Oseberg, a reconstruction of the famous ship.
Beyond the Viking and medieval heritage, Tønsberg is the gateway to Færder Nasjonalpark and the islands of the outer Oslofjord. Ferries and tour boats depart from the harbour, and the nearby island of Tjøme with Verdens Ende at its tip is one of the most popular coastal destinations in Vestfold. The Haugar Vestfold Kunstmuseum, set between two Viking-era burial mounds, houses a strong collection of Norwegian art.
Today Tønsberg is a lively summer town. The waterfront along Brygga buzzes with restaurants, bars, and boat traffic from June to August, when Norwegians from Oslo flood in for weekends on the coast. The medieval festival in June fills the castle hill with jousting, markets, and concerts. At Vikingodden by the harbour, volunteers build full-scale Viking ship replicas using only authentic tools, including Saga Oseberg, a reconstruction of the famous ship.
Beyond the Viking and medieval heritage, Tønsberg is the gateway to Færder Nasjonalpark and the islands of the outer Oslofjord. Ferries and tour boats depart from the harbour, and the nearby island of Tjøme with Verdens Ende at its tip is one of the most popular coastal destinations in Vestfold. The Haugar Vestfold Kunstmuseum, set between two Viking-era burial mounds, houses a strong collection of Norwegian art.