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Klastadskipet: A unique window to the past
The Hardraade Viking Ship Association is building a hybrid replica of the Klastad ship
The Klastad ship, a remarkable find from the Viking Age, provides a fascinating glimpse into Norway's maritime past. Discovered in 1893 on a farm in Larvik municipality, this Viking ship lay hidden in the earth for centuries before being excavated in 1970.
Dating back to the year 998, the ship has been identified as a knarr, a robust cargo ship designed to transport goods over long distances. With a keel length of 16.15 meters, the Klåstad ship was slightly smaller than the more famous Gokstad ship, but an impressive vessel for its time. The total length of the ship was approximately 20 meters.
The Klastad ship is one of only four preserved Viking ships found in Norway. The others are:
The Oseberg ship: Known for its elaborate carvings and burial goods.
The Gokstad ship: A larger ship, possibly a royal vessel, also found in a burial mound.
The Tune ship: A less well-preserved ship, but still valuable for understanding Viking shipbuilding.
The Klastadship: A Sailing Ship Designed for Long Voyages
Although equipped with oars, the Klastad ship was primarily a sailing vessel. The oars were mainly used for maneuvering in narrow waters, such as when approaching a dock. The sail was the primary means of propulsion, and the ship was designed to harness the power of the wind to sail long distances.
This makes the Klastad ship quite different from the other famous Viking ships, which were primarily burial ships. The Klastad ship appears to have been a working vessel, perhaps lost in a storm or wrecked. This makes it an even more valuable find, as it provides unique insights into the practical aspects of Viking seafaring and trade.
Today, the ship is on display at the Slottsfjell Museum in Tønsberg, Vestfold, where you can admire the impressive construction and learn more about Viking Age seafaring.
Interesting facts about the Klastad ship:
Clinker-Built: Clinker building is a method of boat building in which the edges of hull planks overlap each other.
A working vessel: Unlike the Oseberg and Gokstad ships, which were used for burials, the Klåstad ship was a cargo vessel, likely used for trade.
Built for the open sea: As a knarr (cargo ship), it was designed for long voyages and could withstand harsh conditions.
A hybrid of sail and oar: While primarily a sailing ship, it also had 8 oars for maneuvering in tight spaces.
Dated to 998 AD: This makes it one of the youngest Viking ships found.
Discovered in 1893, excavated in 1970: It lay hidden in the earth for centuries before being unearthed.
Found with cargo: Remnants of cargo like whetstones and animal hides were found, giving clues about its trade routes.
Smaller than the Gokstad ship: With a keel length of 16.15 meters, it's slightly smaller than the more famous Gokstad ship.
Currently on display at the Slottsfjell Museum: You can see the ship and learn more about it at the museum in Tønsberg, Norway.
Inspiring modern replicas: The Hardraade Viking Ship Association is currently building a hybrid replica of the Klåstad ship, using both traditional and modern techniques.
The Klastad ship is a unique testament to the maritime skill of the Vikings and gives us valuable insight into how our ancestors traveled, traded, and lived.
The Klastad ship could transport up to 30 tons, for example, of stone or iron!
A visit to the Slottsfjell Museum to see this magnificent ship is truly a journey back in time and an experience that will fascinate both young and old.
Hardraade Viking Ship Association: Dedicated to Viking Age Craftsmanship
In collaboration with sponsors, businesses, cultural organizations, politicians, and a bunch of enthusiastic volunteers, Hardraade is building an authentic Viking ship to preserve and share the unique Viking history of Ringerike.
Boat builders and volunteers working side by side, ready to join the 11th strake.
The experienced boatbuilder Jan Vogt Knutsen, from Oseberg Vikingarv, is leading the construction. Not bad! Together with a team of skilled boatbuilders, apprentices, and volunteers, they are working to realize the dream of seeing a Viking ship sail on Tyrifjorden as it did 1000 years ago.
The ship will be launched on Steinsfjorden in the summer of 2025!
It will be a majestic Viking ship, inspired by the famous Klastad ship from Vestfold. With its length of over 20 meters and a mighty figurehead in place, it will be an impressive sight to see it glide forward with the sound of slapping waves and oars echoing between the mountains.
There will be a total of 12 strakes on the Hardraade ship (10 oak, 2 pine)
While the Klastad ship mainly used sails, the ship being built by Hardraade will be powered by both oars and a huge 100 square-meter wool sail. With 28 oars (in contrast to the original ship's 8 oars) and a splendid sail rig, it will be a unique rowing experience, for sure!
Since the Hardraade ship is designed for passengers and not cargo, it doesn't need to be as deep as the original. This means it has one less strake (the planks that form the hull): 12 instead of the original 13.
Listen to, Knut Grande talk about the Hardraade project
Hardraade also has a vision of establishing a living Viking center on Storøya island in Hole municipality, just an hour's drive from Oslo.
With the Viking ship as a starting point, the idea is to create a place where crafts, culture, history, and activities such as costume sewing, boat building, blacksmithing, and traditional crafts are at the center.
Such a center would also provide children and young people with valuable encounters with Norwegian cultural heritage and contribute to creativity and cultural understanding. In addition, there is little doubt that the entire region would benefit from such an establishment.
Community and passion: Volunteer enthusiasts recreate history
Hardraade is clearly committed to creating an inclusive community where everyone should feel welcome and valued, regardless of their background.
"Diversity enriches us all" - Founder, Ragnar Wergeland
With over 100 active members from 25 nations, there is little doubt that community is the cornerstone of the project. The diversity gives everyone who wants to participate the opportunity to learn, grow, and create meaningful relationships.
Hardraade also offers various activities where you can learn new skills and explore old craft traditions such as:
Boat building: Learning the techniques used to construct a Viking ship, from shaping the timber to joining the planks.
Textile production: Exploring the process of creating textiles from raw materials, including spinning wool, weaving fabric, and sewing garments.
Wood carving: Crafting items from wood using Viking Age techniques, such as carving, shaping, and joining.
Rune crafting: Learning about the history and meaning of runes, used by the Vikings and recreating them in wood and stone.
Blacksmithing: Learning the art of forging metal, including heating, hammering, and shaping iron to create tools, weapons, or jewelry.
Everyone is welcome to join the fun!
Hardraade recreates the Klastad Viking ship with a fierce passion. Every Saturday, between 11 am and 3 pm, a group of eager volunteers gathers at the construction site at Sundvollen.
Some swing hammers, some sew, others prepare materials – the possibilities are many! At 1 pm, all year round, everyone gathers for a delightful communal meal around the cooking pit and campfire pans. Hardraade's food group serves up lunch and treats, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
It's incredible what people can achieve when they come together and share knowledge
It's proven that active participation in a community like this is beneficial to both physical and mental health. In addition, many shared memories are created, and the pride of working on a historical project like the one Hardraade has embarked on is palpable.
Past in Present: Hardraade Recreates the Legacy of the Klastad Viking Ship
The hybrid replica of the Klåstad ship that Hardraade is recreating is more than just a ship. It is a symbol of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and commitment to our shared history. It is a project that shows that volunteers can move mountains and that preserving cultural heritage is an investment in the future.
The project is an important contribution to keeping our cultural heritage alive. By building and sailing this ship, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the Viking Age and the maritime knowledge that characterized our ancestors. At the same time, it creates pride and identity for the local population and attracts tourists and history buffs from far and wide.
The slogan 'Fortid i nåtid' (Past in Present) is the very heartbeat of the Hardraade Viking Ship Association. It is a reminder that history is not just a dusty book on a shelf, but a living force that can inspire and enrich us today.
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