Museumsø

On Museumsø, adjacent to the Viking Ship Hall and also part of the Viking Ship Museum, craftspeople use Viking-era techniques and tools to build replicas of Viking ships. Ottar, Roar Ege, Helge Ask and Kraka Fyr (reconstructions of Skuldelev 1, 3, 5 and 6 respectively) are moored in the harbour, where you can really appreciate their light, flexible designs.

In mid-2007 the largest Viking ship reconstruction ever sailed from Roskilde to Dublin. An incredible 340 trees went into the creation of Havhingsten fra Glendalough (based on the 60-oared warship Skuldelev 2), and the total labour totted up to 44,000 man hours. In mid-2008 it made its successful return to Roskilde: retrace its route at www.havhingsten.dk.

In summer, a shipwright, blacksmith, tar-burner, weaver, rope-maker and fletcher demonstrate their crafts. Children can join in the fun by striking coins and painting their own shields.

Museumsø also has an archaeological workshop (10:00-15:00 Mon-Fri), where you can watch researchers from the National Museum analysing recent excavations.