Northern Norway » Petter Dass Museum

A spectacular and modern museum, an 18th century parsonage and a beautiful medieval church: the Petter Dass Museum is a place of contrast.

Petter Dass
The parson poet Petter Dass (1647-1707) lived and worked here for 18 years and his name is therefore strongly connected with Alstahaug. Through his distinctive writings, bearing the stamp of North Norway's natural and human environment, Petter Dass is considered one of the most important poets of the Dano- Norwegian realm of his time.

The museum comprises a yard surrounded by historical buildings, and a new building open all year, designed by famous architectural practice Snøhetta AS. Archeological digs indicate settlements at Alstahaug from the 1100s. The site has been a church site since about 1200, when the first section of Alstahaug church was built.

Exhibitions
The main exhibit in the new museum building presents the person, the poet and the parson Petter Dass from different angles. The exhibit also concerns other religious and cultural topics.

An exciting pictorial play about Alstahaug, Petter Dass and his times is screened regularly in the museum auditorium.

In the oldest rooms of the parsonage, interiors from the 16-1700s are on display. In the remaining rooms are fixed and changing exhibits, both works of art and archeological findings. The parsonage is open during the summer season.

Café and gift shop
Margrethe's Kafé always serves tasty food. The gift shop has a wide selection of books, gifts and handicraft.