Borrehaugene

Borrehaugene is a historic burial ground in Borre Park, just south of Horten. It is one of Northern Europe's largest collections of monumental burial mounds from the Late Iron Age and Viking Age. Walk among the grassy mounds, explore the historic landscape and visit the nearby Midgard Viking Centre. More than 50 burial mounds and cairns have been recorded here. The largest mounds were first built in the 7th century, and the site continued to be used into the Viking Age. The park is free to visit throughout the year.

Walk among the burial mounds
Take a walk through Borre Park, where large, grass-covered burial mounds rise between the trees. Some are as much as seven metres high. The largest mounds measure between 34 and 45 metres across. Their scale is particularly striking when you see them up close. Follow the paths through the park and explore the landscape towards the Oslofjord. This connection to the sea has been an important part of Borre's history for more than a thousand years.

A centre of power beside the Oslofjord
Between approximately AD 600 and 900, nine monumental burial mounds and three large burial cairns were constructed at Borre. Together with numerous smaller graves, they show the importance of this place during the Late Iron Age and Viking Age. The location overlooking the Oslofjord was significant. The burial mounds could be seen from the water, reflecting the power and status of the people associated with the site. Archaeologists have also discovered traces of large ceremonial halls, a settlement and a Viking Age harbour in the surrounding landscape.

The famous Borre ship burial
In 1852, one of the largest mounds was excavated. Known as Skipshaugen, the Ship Mound, it yielded the important archaeological finds from Borre. The grave contained evidence of a ship burial and richly decorated objects. Finds from Borre gave their name to the Borre style of Viking Age ornamentation. Excavation methods were very different at the time, and much valuable information was lost. Even so, the discovery remains important for our understanding of Viking Age craftsmanship and burial traditions.

Royal sagas and archaeological evidence
Medieval royal sagas connect Borre with the Yngling dynasty and the early rulers of Vestfold.
Archaeological research tells a more complex story. The burial ground appears to have been used by several powerful families over a long period. The mounds therefore tell the story of generations of leaders and the importance of Borre as a place of memory and power.

Visit Midgard Viking Centre
Next to the burial ground is Midgard Viking Centre, where exhibitions, activities and guided tours bring the Viking Age to life. You can also visit Gildehallen, a modern reconstruction inspired by the great Viking Age halls discovered through archaeological research at Borre.
During the main season, Midgard offers guided walks through Borre Park. Hear the stories behind the mounds as you explore the area with a guide. Borre Park itself is free to visit. Admission to the museum and Gildehallen follows Midgard's opening hours and ticket arrangements.

Help preserve the burial ground
Borrehaugene is a protected archaeological site. Although the mounds look like natural grassy hills, they were built by people more than a thousand years ago. Please use the established paths and avoid disturbing the burial mounds or other archaeological remains. Your visit helps keep this remarkable landscape part of the experience for future generations.