International Viking Festival

There are numerous stalls selling everything from historical jewelry to clothing, soap to mead, weapons to toys. You will also find woodburning art, silver braiding, clothing, shoes, nålebinding, glasswork and small leather goods, beads, and fabrics. Vikings do not like to sit still; they are eager to tell you about daily life in the Early Middle Ages. During the weekend, they give demonstrations of the various weapons and clothing used and worn by the Vikings. Vikings were industrious farmers, skilled craftsmen, clever traders, brave warriors, and above all fearless explorers. Several encampments can be visited this weekend.

The Vikings have left a strong legacy that is still visible today. Many place names—especially in England—originate from Scandinavian languages. Jewelry and everyday objects used by the Vikings have been found all over Europe. People also wrote about the Vikings. The English found them rather strange: before a major battle, they would spend hours washing themselves, combing their hair, and braiding their beards. This was because the Vikings believed that if they died in battle, they would be welcomed into Valhalla—a place where feasting and fighting went on forever. And for that, it was best to look presentable!

Vikings in Dorestad

The old school illustration from 1927 by J.H. Isings is very well known: a proud Viking, splendidly dressed, stands on the gangplank of his ship. His reddish-grey mane blows in the wind. In the background, the horizon is ablaze: Dorestad is going up in flames. Cheering Vikings return to the shore, heavily laden with plundered treasures.

Nearly a hundred years later, we know better. That is not how it happened in Dorestad.

Dorestad was an emporium, an international trading center. It flourished under Frankish rule from the mid-eighth century, especially during the reign of Charlemagne. The population at the time is estimated to have numbered many thousands. Traders came from all over Europe. The later Vikings also gladly offered their goods here and loaded cargo that had been brought in from the hinterland or from the (sometimes distant) south.

From 834 onwards, Vikings arrived in Dorestad with less peaceful intentions. By then, the town’s position had already weakened. The river had changed its course, flowing farther away from the old riverbank and becoming less navigable. Imperial administration was less organized, authority had weakened, and other trading centers may already have been emerging. It is even possible that the Viking raids were part of a strategic plan by rival powers. Several plundering campaigns ultimately dealt Dorestad the final blow: inhabitants were killed or fled. And those great fires on the horizon? They never happened. Archaeological research has found no trace of them at all.

Free admission with the Museum Card and VriendenLoterij VIP Card.

Reserve your visit here.
Program still being made.