A visit here not only gives you historical knowledge, but also a better understanding of why Kirkenes is the city it is today, an Arctic border town with a history that differs from most other places in Norway.

At the Borderland Museum in Kirkenes you get an insight into the history of Sør-Varanger, an area shaped by borders, encounters between people and major societal changes. The museum tells the story of how life has developed in this unique borderland, where Norway, Finland and Russia meet.

Through permanent exhibitions you can explore themes such as war history, mining and industrialization, and gain an insight into the everyday lives of the people who have lived and worked in the region. The history of World War II is central, and the exhibitions provide an insight into how the war and the border with the Soviet Union left deep traces in Kirkenes and Sør-Varanger. The museum also shows Sami culture and life in the borderland through different times.