At the Grenselandmuseet, you can explore exhibitions related to local history. We present the history of settlement and development of the region, from its origins as a common territory between Russia, Finland and Norway, to a Norwegian border municipality with a complex culture. We also document the industrial history of the company A/S Sydvaranger – the mining company that, through the extraction of iron ore from open pit mines, led the local development from a traditional, self-sufficient community to an industrial area. The museum's war exhibition includes, among other things, the Russian fighter plane Ilyushin; and presents the war history of Kirkenes and the border areas. During World War II, the Kirkenes fortress was the most important base for the German forces, and the city became a target for Allied bombers.
In the Espolin conference room at the Grenselandmuseet, a selection of drawings and prints by Kaare Espolin Johnson (1907-1994) is on display, with motifs from Finnmark. The museum has a large photo collection, and selected motifs can be seen in the various exhibitions. Among these are photographs taken by the committed social commentator and doctor's wife, Ellisif Wessel (1866-1949). The museum has an online exhibition that presents the history and life along the border in Pasvik, called Borderless Water – one river, three states: www.pasvikelva.no
The Grenseland Museum is located together with the Savio Museum, dedicated to the art of the Sami artist John Savio (1902-1938). The Grenseland Museum has a museum shop and a café with a great view of a nearby lake.
We serve coffee, tea, waffles, soft drinks, and we offer guided tours (please contact us with a request in advance).
https://www.varangermuseum.no/besok-oss/besokssteder/grenselandmuseet/
