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There are places and museums in the world that could be the reason for negative emotions. Sometimes we need a different look on the topic and our opinion could be radically different. I had this kind of feelings with the Whaling Museum in Sandefjord. On one hand hunting and killing whales are cruel, but on the other hand, local people were conditioned by the history and geography of Norway.
Hvalfangstmuseet (Whaling Museum in Sandefjord) is located at Museumsgata 39. It is usually open daily from 11 to 16, but it is better to check the current information because it can be temporarily closed due to renovation and reconstruction. Admission costs 25 crowns (about 3 Euro) for adults, 10 crowns (about 1Euro) for children from 7 to 17 years old, and children up to 6 years enter free. In addition, the museum offers family tickets and a special price for students. From September to May, every Tuesday you can visit the exhibition for free. Of course, like in almost every museum, so you can also hire a guide for groups (up to 25 people).
The origins of the museum date back to 1917 and its full name is the Commander Christen Christensen Museum of Whaling – in honour of the president of the largest whaling company in the world – A/S Oceana. The founder of the museum was his son – Lars, who wanted to bring the visitors closer to the history of whaling but also the unknown nature of Antarctica. Today, the museum show topics related to ecology and protection of whales.
Most of the exhibition is actually located in one large room, which you can enter almost directly from the street. The exhibition includes dozens of stuffed animals, skeletons, animals or their parts preserved in formalin and a huge number of photos. The most interesting element of the exhibition is suspended from the ceiling model of the largest ever living mammal on earth – a blue whale. The sea elephant made a big impression on us – we did not realize its size. Because of the lack of natural light, stuffed animals and skeletons, this place arouses a bit of horror, but it also has its own climate. Work is underway on expanding the museum, so it will be soon
you can find even more interesting facts there, given may be more accessible, modern way.
Part of the exhibits of the museum also includes a restored ship. You can visit it in port and still operates as a passenger ship. Unfortunately this time, we have not visited this attraction since agent.
Many places in Sandefjord are connected to the subject of whaling. One of the more characteristic is the fountain/monument of whalers located right next to the port.
