the borderland museum

laurentpp2013

I learned a lot on the region, the 2nd world war story in the region, the mining. Interesting museum. It's worth visiting it when traveling that far North

Birdrocktravler

We walked to this museum from the Thon Hotel, it took about 30 minutes. I loved the downstairs section about Norway's part in WWII - very moving. Cute little cafe before heading out again.

--D--UK--70--

The museum throws you back in time 70 years to experience the futile war fought in this most remote corner of Europe between Germany and Russia and the suffering of the civilian population. This region was one of the most heavily bombed and thousands of soldiers lost their lives here. The texts in the museum are well written and you leave understanding more about what this region has gone through. As an additional exhibit on the second floor there is a smaller display on the growth of the mining industry in Kirkenes.

Roznco

Very interesting and well laid out. Harrowing stories but part of history. Easily spend a couple of hours there.

651deniseh

Small but good for the price to spend an hour or 2. Nice cafe and comfortable seating to have a break.

ellenor

We really enjoyed a couple of hours here while staying in Kirkenes, we walked from our hotel its not hard to find. We found reading and understanding the history of the border towns and their experiences during the war were most interesting.

556valerieb

It was a long walk from the Hurtigruten terminal, and not well signposted. You need to use a map! But it was well worth the walk, and the cafe there gives you a chance for a cuppa before you start. It's a large museum, and you need a couple of hours to do it justice.

Arlabob

This small museum about the borderland where Norway abuts Russia was a highlight of our short stay in Kirkenes after a trip on the Hurtigruten. It's an uphill trek to the edge of town, but well worth it for the exhibits about the Norwegian resistance to the German occupation during WWII - as well as historical insights about the trade with Russia along the coast over the centuries. A museum clearly intended more for the community than for tourists. Very professionally done.

davido514

As war museums go this is one of the best, because it focuses on stories from real people affected by the occupation of Kirkenes and the Region in WW2. Most of it is in several languages. Best bit is probably the actual plane from WW2 they have re-built and put inside the place. There is an interesting side exhibition on a Sami painter and good historical info from around the region. The stuff on the mining industry nearby is a bit tame and quite dated though, but there is enough in the WW2 part to make this well worth the visit. Easily walkable from the centre of town too.

peter_glazier

This museum gives a very interesting look at Kirkenes in the past especially at the height of iron ore extraction and the 2nd World War.Worth the little trip up the hill.

duxy

Visited the museum in August. It was a beautiful sunny day as we walked up to the museum from our hotel. The museum curators have done a magnificent job with the layout of the museum. Multiple languages are available throughout, in great detail, as each set of WW II artifacts is presented. They also provide many personal perspectives and recollections from the period. Don't miss this little gem of a museum if you are in Kirkenes.

tourguide050

It was a bit of a walk to visit this museum but once there it was a most instructive 2 hours on The Occupation of Norway and what role the Norwegian Resistance played together with the final destruction of Kirkenes. I liked the way the information was presented in different languages but also the personal thoughts and stories presented in the format of poems written by locals.

Mariusm98

Borderland, not boderland. BoRderland. fillingincharacterstomake100ofthemwillgetthereshortlyihopeyes

huys25

There is not much to do in kirkenes, but a hour visit to this museam isa ice activity. Two main exhibitions, one about war time and one about the iron ore industry.Seems that the mines itself cannot be visited.

huys25

Small museum with two interesting exhibitions, one about WW II with really good exhibits and one about the iron ore mining in the district. Pity we could not visit the real thing, but maybe in the future the mines can be open for visitors on appointment.