The Viking Ship Museum is built around the five original Viking ships from Skuldelev, which are housed inside a purpose-built building. The museum has grown to be much more than just the ship hall, it is now focused on maintaining the skills of traditional boat building. The weather was now decent so we thought we would start our visit outside.
There was a Viking presentation planned for 3 pm so we went off to find where it would take place, so we entered a closed-off field. In one area there were a couple of tents set up where they had created a forge where a blacksmith was a work beating some molten metal and there was a demonstration table with a replica of a Viking helmet, chain mail, sword, and shield, which was a big draw to all the young children (and adults). Close by there were groups of adults and children beating each other with wooden swords and shields, the spirits of Vikings are seemingly never far away even in the 21st Century!
We waited for the talk to start, and when it did it was rudimentary and aimed more at the children, who didn’t seem to be interested in the history but wanted instead to beat each other silly with toy swords. I think I would have wanted to do the same at their age! So, we left the talk and went to look at the Viking boat moored up on the dock. Four smaller boats were replicas of trading boats and a small warship. The Vikings had a fearsome reputation as murderous warriors, which they were, but they were also traders and many of their ships were used for transporting goods, not warriors. There was one large, long ship which was most definitely a fighting vessel, which you were allowed to climb aboard, which was easier send than done unless you had long legs, which I do. For Karen, it was trickier, but she made it!
The museum also runs boat trips on replica Viking ships from the dock. We watched one boat coming in and another leaving. It looked like a lot of fun as the ‘crew’ had to navigate in and out of the harbour by using the large oars onboard the boat. Watching it was evident that most had never rowed a thing in their lives, but under the skilled guidance of the boat captain they successfully made it to and from the harbour. Once out on the water, the famous square sails were raised, and the oars pulled in.
Across the other side of the small harbour is Museum Island, where there is a working boatyard, which is owned by the museum. The boatyard builds clinker-built boats, and its purpose is to preserve the maritime crafts associated with these boats.
The boatyard specialises in full-scale reconstructions of prehistoric boats using the methods of the time. As you walk around you can watch the staff and volunteer as they work on building new boats and repairing the older boats. There is also a small workshop where you can build a model boat, which was a great hit with the children.
To finish up our visit we returned to the Viking Ship Hall. It is an impressive building. One complete wall is made of glass and faces out to sea, and on the main floor is the reconstruction of the five Skuldelev boats. These ships were excavated from the mud of the bay where they had been submerged for a thousand years. The metal nails that had held the boats together had eroded away so that all that remained were the boats’ timbers. Archaeologists recovered and restored the timbers and began the painstaking task of working out how these boats were assembled, like some huge jigsaw puzzle. Many timbers were missing, but they were able to reconstruct the boat with what remained and cleverly used a steel frame to show what they believed the outline of these boats would have looked like. These boats are creatively named Skuldelev 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The history of why these boats were where they are is a story of protecting a settlement from invasion. During the late Viking Age, a system of barriers is established on Roskilde Fjord, making it possible to control the sea routes to one of Denmark’s great royal and ecclesiastical cities.
Three worn-out ships are towed out to the narrowest point, just outside the village of Skuldelev. The ships are filled with stones and sunk in the sailing channel Peberrenden, which is the most direct route to Roskilde. After twenty years, the barrier is reinforced with two more ships. An effective defence system is created.
As well as the boats there are exhibitions about how the boats were recovered and restored, which we found absolutely fascinating, and the history of Vikings from pagan warriors to Christian farmers. The whole thing was superbly done
Planning your visit to the Viking Ship Museum
Train
It only takes 25 minutes by train to get there from Copenhagen, the Cathedral is, therefore, a perfect day trip from Copenhagen.
By train: almost all trains from Copenhagen Central Station heading West stop at Roskilde and you can find your train on publictransport.dk. Transportation is free with a Copenhagen Card.
Bus
Busses can drop groups off at Fondens Bro. General parking in central Roskilde is free for the first 2 hours. For more time use parking machines, which accept all major credit cards. Find parking spots here
The best time to visit Roskilde
Roskilde, a captivating city in Denmark, is nestled under the classification of Cfb or Marine West Coast, warm summer according to the Köppen climatic classification. The city experiences moderate, damp climates throughout the year, with cool summers and no dry season.
The best time to visit Roskilde
Vacationers seeking warmth and ample sunshine should consider visiting Roskilde during the summer months (June, July, and August). The comfortable temperatures, sitting between 18.4°C (65.1°F) to 20.4°C (68.7°F), and amplified daylight hours as high as 17.4 hours in June make for splendid conditions for sightseeing and other outdoor activities.
The worst time to visit Roskilde
The periods of chilly weather from December to February should better be avoided by tourists. Temperatures can drop significantly during these months, reaching as low as -0.6°C (30.9°F) in February. It is also in this duration that Roskilde sees a higher percentage of cloud cover, reaching 71% in December, which limits sunshine and results in grittier weather conditions.
Where to stay in Roskilde
1. Comwell Roskilde
Boasting views of the Roskilde Fjord, Comwell Roskilde offers free parking and rooms with cable TV and WiFi access. Roskilde city center is a 5-minute drive from the hotel.
Seasonal dishes based on fresh produce accompanied by selected wines are served at Comwell Roskilde’s restaurant. Drinks are available in the hotel bar, featuring a terrace with fjord views. Please note that the restaurant and bar is closed on Sundays (except during Danish summer vacation).
Leisure facilities include table football, billiards and a fitness room. The area offers great opportunities for jogging and bicycling. The property has several cozy terraces, pavilions and patios.
2. Zleep Hotel Prindsen Roskilde
This cozy hotel is just a 3 minute walk from Central Station and is found close to Copenhagen’s main street, Strøget. It offers a furnished courtyard and free Wi-Fi.
Housed in an impressive 1880s building, Go Hotel Ansgar today provides neatly presented guest rooms with modern comforts.
All rooms have a fresh bathroom with a shower, as well as a work desk and a flat-screen TV.
The fashionable Vesterbro quarter is on Ansgar’s doorstep and offers an excellent mix of shopping, restaurants, nightlife and cultural attractions.
3. Budget – Roskilde Danhostel
Located in Roskilde and with Frederiksberg Slot reachable within 21 miles, Roskilde Danhostel has express check-in and check-out, non-smoking rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. The property is around 21 miles from Frederiksberg Have, 22 miles from Copenhagen Central Station and 22 miles from Tivoli Gardens. The hostel has family rooms.
At the hostel, the rooms are equipped with a closet and a TV. Roskilde Danhostel provides some accommodations that have city views, and rooms come with a private bathroom with a shower. The rooms include bed linen.