From the cold Arctic wastelands to the hot, sunny islands of Asia, this museum -- owned by the University of Oslo -- is a vast treasure trove, containing everything from a carved stavkirke (wooden church) to a 1,000-year history of the coins of Norway. Viking artifacts and a display of gold and silver from the 2nd through the 13th centuries are in the Treasure House. In the medieval hall, look for the reddish Ringerike Alstad Stone, which was carved in relief, and the Dynna Stone, an 11th-century runic stone honoring the handsomest maiden in Hadeland. There's also a rich collection of ecclesiastical art in a series of portals from stave churches. Grant this museum at least 45 minutes.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Norway, 4th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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