Lofoten’s Viking Longhouse Lofoten is on a Norwegian archipelago that attracts over 125,000 people annually to a community with less than 25,000 residents. The reason is Lofotr’s Viking Museum, culture‐food‐drink and Festival. Described in visitnorway.com, “The Lofoten Islands are draped across the turbulent waters of the Norwegian Sea, far above the Arctic Circle. This rare wilderness outpost offers an untrammeled landscape of majestic mountains, deep fjords, squawking seabird colonies and long, surf‐swept beaches.” Lofoten’s lighthouse is at the southernmost point of the archipelago. It is believed that 1.5 million birds can be found there. They include Puffins, Kittiwakes and Shags. Archeologists tell us that Stone Age people were here 6,000 years ago. Vikings ruled from Lofoten and set forth across the sea to conquer other lands. Vikings were described by our guides as men with fighting skills that did such for their leader, acting as mercenaries to conquer other lands and garner wealth. See history.com for a review of leadership in the Viking era. Cod fisheries have been part of Lofoten for more than 1,000 years. During the winter, the cod migrate to this area from the Barents Sea and spawn. At one time 38,000 fishermen could have been seen in the waters around Lofoten during the winter months. Purse‐seine fishing (large ring‐lines that extend to the bottom that can be pulled together to capture fish) rather than hand‐held fishing line and hooks are used by today’s fisherman. Purse‐seine is also used in fish farming. Cod drying racks are very common in this area; some are very large. According to travels‐in‐time.net, a church has been at Borge, near the Viking Museum since the early Middle Ages. The church was consecrated in 1987, because the former church burned down in a winter storm. Loftor’s Viking Museum was reconstructed from Bord History on the former spot of a chieftain’s farm. The longhouse is 272 feet long that includes a banquet area, workshops and museum with historical artifacts. This photo program shares our experience at Lofotr Viking Museum.

Viking Banquet

Sources: “Loftoen” booklet, Lofotr Viking Festival brochure, Players‐Viking culture, https://lofoten.info/lofoten, https://www.visitnorway.com/places‐to‐go/northern‐ norway/the‐lofoten‐islands/, https://www.ingebretsens.com/culture/history/the‐vikings‐and‐the‐viking‐era, https://www.history.com/news/6‐viking‐leaders‐you‐ should‐know, http://www.travels‐in‐time.net/norway37moneng.htm, and http://www.lofotr.no/en/Menues‐/br‐/Menues/Drinks/beverages‐651702. acuri.net John R. Vincenti Lofoten’s Viking Longhouse