Kon-Tiki Museum
The Kon-Tiki Museum on the Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo preserves the original balsa-wood raft on which Thor Heyerdahl and five companions sailed 8,000 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean from Peru to Polynesia in 1947, proving that pre-Columbian peoples could have made the voyage. Opened in a provisional building in 1949 and moved to its permanent home in 1957, the museum also houses the papyrus boat Ra II, used by Heyerdahl in his 1970 Atlantic crossing, together with an extensive library and collection of artefacts from Heyerdahl’s expeditions. A 360° virtual tour allows remote visitors to explore the vessels and exhibits.
At a glance
- Type
- Maritime exploration and ethnography museum
- Founded
- 1949; permanent building opened 1957
- Architects
- F. S. Platou and Otto Torgersen (1957 building); Torgersen (1978 extension)
- Location
- Bygdøynesveien 36, 0286 Oslo, Norway
- Coordinates
- 59.9035° N, 10.6981° E
Overview
The Kon-Tiki Museum documents the life and expeditions of Thor Heyerdahl (1914–2002), one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated and controversial explorers. Its centrepiece is the Kon-Tiki raft itself — now over 75 years old — displayed in its original condition alongside the film and photographic documentation of the 1947 voyage. The museum holds approximately 8,000 volumes in its research library, making it a significant centre for the study of Pacific and Atlantic indigenous seafaring traditions.
History
In 1947 Thor Heyerdahl led his Kon-Tiki expedition to test his hypothesis that ancient Peruvians could have settled Polynesia using ocean currents and simple raft technology. After 101 days at sea and 8,000 kilometres, the Kon-Tiki raft reached the Tuamotu Archipelago; the achievement won global media attention and the 1951 Academy Award for best documentary film. The museum was established in Oslo two years after the voyage to display the raft and expedition materials, and has since expanded to encompass Heyerdahl’s subsequent expeditions — including Ra I and Ra II on the Atlantic, and Tigris on the Indian Ocean.
What you see
The main hall of the museum is dominated by the Kon-Tiki raft, displayed at full scale with original rigging, bamboo cabin and sail. The Ra II papyrus boat occupies a separate gallery, accompanied by artefacts from the Easter Island and Maldives expeditions. Dioramas, film screenings and the museum’s extensive photographic archive recreate the conditions of life aboard the rafts. The building’s setting on the quiet Bygdøy peninsula — shared with the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian Maritime Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum — places it within one of the world’s densest concentrations of maritime heritage.
Cultural significance
The Kon-Tiki expedition redefined popular understanding of ancient seafaring capability and sparked decades of academic debate about the prehistoric settlement of the Pacific. While Heyerdahl’s specific migration theory has been challenged by genetic and linguistic evidence, his voyages remain landmarks in the history of experimental archaeology and continue to inspire interest in indigenous ocean navigation. The museum’s 360° virtual tour has extended its reach to a global audience that may never visit Oslo in person.
Practical information
- Address
- Bygdøynesveien 36, 0286 Oslo, Norway
- Opening hours
- Open year-round; hours vary by season — check kon-tiki.no for current schedule
- Admission
- Paid entry; combination tickets available with other Bygdøy museums
- Website
- kon-tiki.no
Getting there
The museum is on the Bygdøy peninsula, reachable from central Oslo by ferry (Bygdøy ferry from Rådhusbrygge pier 3, seasonal) or by bus line 30 from Nationaltheatret. The journey by bus takes approximately 15 minutes. A pleasant 30-minute cycle path from Aker Brygge also leads to Bygdøy.