VIKINGS – National Museum of Denmark

One episode above all else reminds us of, how much our modern day preconception of the Vikings is so very limited.

In about the 10th century a young Viking called Halfdan, inscribed in the marble collonade in the great Cathederal Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, the words “I was here”. An act worthy of the modern tourist! Halfdan was probably a member of the elite Varangian, who were the personal guard for the Sultans at the time, but what it documents above all else, is how the Vikings over a millenium ago, already then, were comfortably travelling from the North Sea to the  Mediterranean and beyond; as seasoned and respected traders and warrriors.

Discover the mysterious world of the Viking’s with this beautiful curated collection of authentic Nordic gifts.

The National Museum of Denmark
Prinsens Palæ
Frederiksholms Kanal 12
1220 København K
www.natmus.dk/en