A Sustainable Museum

Sustainability is a natural part of our work at The Viking Museum and we constantly strive to make eco-friendly choices throughout the entire operation.

Materials

The majority of our exhibition was created from the ground up by artist Stefan Alexis. It is largely constructed using recycled and natural materials and painted with environmentally friendly paint. For example, trimmed branches and tree trunks from the Royal Djurgården Administration have been used as building materials throughout the exhibition.
The sections of the exhibition focusing on archaeology and Viking journeys to the East are built using materials sourced from nature on Djurgården and, in many cases, from our own backyard.

We work with environmentally certified wood and instead of actual fires, we are using artificial fireplaces that run on water vapour and LED lights.

Our guides sew, mend, crochet and weave their own fabrics and clothes, which is not only a nice element to the visitor’s experience, but also ensures that the clothes are historically accurate and can be used for many years.

And of course, all electronics in the museum are powered by fossil-free electricity.

The Restaurant

Our restaurant Eld prioritizes organic and local produce, and always composes the menus according to season. We buy our beverages from local manufacturers and use the same delivery services as the other establishments on Djurgården, in order to minimize transportation.

The restaurant actively works to reduce food waste. During our traditional Christmas dinners, for example, we serve food at the table rather than offering a buffet. This approach has reduced food waste by 75 percent.

Instead of selling bottled water, we only serve water on tap – both still and sparkling.

The Shop

Our museum shop strives to offer a carefully curated selection of products from selected suppliers, with a clear focus on locally produced and environmentally responsible alternatives.
By collaborating with local artisans and sustainable brands, we aim to create a range that reflects our cultural heritage while also contributing to a more sustainable future.

Social Sustainability

We continuously work on being inclusive and accessible to all kinds of groups. The museum collaborates with organizations such as SFI (Swedish For Immigrants), Kompis Sverige and Barn till Ensamma Mammor (Children of Single Moms). Refugees also have free admission at the museum.

The Viking Museum and Restaurant Eld also arrange charity events where we invite our suppliers to contribute food and donations. For example, we have collaborated with House of Ukraine Stockholm to organize an evening for Ukrainian mothers and their children.

History meets Future

To create balance in our relationship with nature, we need to look both backward and forward. At The Viking Museum and Restaurang Eld, we see history as a source of knowledge rather than nostalgia. In older ways of living, there is valuable experience in resource management, material choices, and respect for raw ingredients that remains highly relevant today.

During the Viking Age and in the Nordic agrarian society, sustainability was a given. People used the entire raw ingredient, repaired instead of replacing, worked in rhythm with nature, and lived in close connection with the changing seasons. It was not a trend, but a necessity.

We want this knowledge to be preserved and to continue evolving.