The Polar Museum — Attraction in Tromsø

A Disheartening Glorification of a Shameful Past. The Polar Museum in Tromsø is, quite frankly, one of the most disappointing and disheartening museums I have ever visited. Far from celebrating the breathtaking beauty of the Arctic or exploring its rich natural history, this institution instead serves as a grim shrine to the brutal exploitation of the region's wildlife. The exhibits seem to revel in the gruesome history of hunting seals, walruses, and polar bears—majestic animals that should be admired, not reduced to trophies of a shameful and outdated industry.

What’s even more shocking is the complete absence of any meaningful exploration of the Sami culture or the traditions of Arctic peoples, who have lived in harmony with this fragile environment for centuries. The museum misses an essential opportunity to educate visitors about sustainable living, Arctic biodiversity, or the deep cultural ties of indigenous communities to this unique region.

Instead, it doubles down on glorifying the now-banned practices that decimated animal populations and disrespected the Arctic ecosystem. This is the equivalent of a museum celebrating the atrocities of the slave trade under the guise of "history." Documenting history is one thing, but doing so without critical reflection or context is irresponsible and tone-deaf.

The Arctic is a place of unparalleled beauty and ecological significance. It deserves to be celebrated, not reduced to a macabre account of human exploitation. If you're looking to be inspired or to learn about the Arctic’s wonders, steer clear of this museum. It’s an outdated relic that does more harm than good in fostering respect for this incredible part...

What I expected: to learn about arctic wildlife, animals, how people live or used to live in this region,I thought it would be a positive experience, like going to any natural history museum.

What I got: there are descriptions of different animals, yes, but the museum should be renamed as "HUNTING MUSEUM". The main theme here is the killing of animals. Representations of animals caught in painful traps, pictures of animals with their guts out, mannequins of a hunter about to kill a couple of baby seals, pictures of dudes slaughtering polar bears... Just sad and triggering. If it was just a couple of respectful pictures or depictions it would be ok, but it's 10 rooms of exhibition and through most of them youre constantly exposed to the killing of animals.

Im not criticizing the culture/history of the region, but it feels like the killing of animals is not only shown as a historical practice or as simple information, it actually feels like the mass slaughtering of animals is glorified, without even offering an updated angle or mentioning current ideas like conservation or scientific research. It should be clearer what the museum is really about so only people who enjoy this stuff visit it.

If all this wasnt enough or if you still want to go, keep in mind that very few texts are in english, most of the descriptions are only in norwegian. You get a booklet at the entrance (that you give back when you finish) in your language, describing the exhibitions, but you can see that the information is summarized and incomplete compared to the original texts. (To be honest, maybe Im better off not knowing what...

Located in the heart of Tromsø, The Polar Museum (Polarmuseet) offers visitors a captivating journey into Norway’s Arctic past. Housed in a charming 19th-century warehouse by the harbor, this museum focuses on the lives of polar explorers, trappers, and whalers who ventured into some of the world’s harshest environments. It's not just a museum—it's a portal into the gritty, courageous world of Arctic survival and discovery.

Inside, you’ll find detailed exhibits on legendary Norwegian explorers like Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, who played key roles in conquering the North and South Poles. Through authentic artifacts, old photographs, and personal journals, the museum brings to life the extreme challenges these men faced, from bitter cold to months of isolation.

There’s also a strong focus on hunting culture, especially the lives of seal hunters and trappers who once spent years living in Arctic wilderness. While this aspect can be controversial, the museum presents it with historical context, allowing visitors to reflect on both the resilience and the impact of human activity in the polar regions.

Although it’s not large, The Polar Museum is rich in storytelling and atmosphere. The creaky wooden floors and dim lighting make it feel like stepping into a...