A new museum is set to take residence on the northern tip of a Norwegian island next year.
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Aptly named The Whale, it will be dedicated to knowledge and experiences centred on the world’s largest mammal and is set to open to the public in June 2027 in Andenes, Norway.
The location choice is no accident – this north Norwegian village is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean and is one of the best destinations for whale encounters all year round. Among its goals, The Whale aims to bring together science, art, storytelling and architecture for visitors to have a space to learn about the marine giants and their ecosystem.
Divided into an array of ‘experience areas,’ the space goes beyond the confines of a traditional natural-history museum with life-sized wooden sculptures of killer whales depicted breaking the surface, housed alongside a species gallery filled with all 90 modern-day species, as well as an area of the mammal's anatomy – from bones to "strange masses and blobs," The Whale said.
There will also be a multisensory space filled with whale sounds, which is dimly lit to mimic the deep ocean. The Whale also spotlights the impacts of industrial whaling and efforts made to counteract the practice.
At the epicentre of the space, there is a full-scale whale sculpture that introduces visitors to the marine giant's similarities to human behaviour in communication, cooperation and care.
Designed by Danish architect Dorte Mandrup, the building’s concave shape emerges from the rocky coastal landscape and blends in with its surroundings through the choice of shapes, materials and colours used.
The Whale was also designed with the exterior being activated – the building's rooftop is publicly accessible and designed as a walkable space. From the high vantage point, visitors can take in panoramic views of the ocean, mountains and horizon, which include the historic Andenes Lighthouse that has lit the coast since 1859.
Although the opening is still months away, ticket sales are expected to go on sale this autumn, with entry starting at 540 Norwegian Krone (€49.47) for adults.
After learning all there is to know about the large sea mammals once The Whale opens, there will be plenty of opportunities to put your knowledge to the test on the water. Whale watching tours from Andenes take place throughout the year, with sperm whales usually seen during the summer and humpback whales in the winter.
For 1,690 Norwegian Krone (€154.94), visitors can board the M/S Reine for a three to four hour whale watching excursion with an experienced crew, where alongside whales, visitors may also spot varieties of dolphin, too.
While on dry land, the coastal village is also home to hiking routes and walking paths for travellers to take in the Arctic landscape. A two kilometre loop around Røyken takes no longer than 45 minutes, with views of the lighthouse, as well as being a great route to spot seals and sea eagles. Meanwhile, Måltinden, a 408 metre-high mountain features a walking path of around four kilometres. Although longer, it's worth it for the wider coastal views.
After working up an appetite whale watching and hiking, the Arresten restaurant serves Arctic seafood, reindeer, burgers and other local favourites, with a quirky past. Housed in a more than 150-year-old former jail, the eatery still has the original cell door and iron-barred windows.