Invitation: Destination Viking Association Conference
April 28th – 30th 2026 | Bergen & Gulen, Norway
Dear DVA Member!
We are delighted to invite you to the Destination Viking Association Conference hosted by Gulen Municipality in collaboration with The City Museum of Bergen (Bymuseet).
The conference will explore the theme: “Viking Law and Landscapes of Regional Power”
The conference will highlight the pivotal role of Western Norway in the formation of the Norwegian state, focusing on Viking Law and society, their legal systems, their defence system and their power systems. You will get an insight into the Gulating Law (900–1300) and Magnus Lagabøte’s (“Lawmender”) Landlaw of 1274 by some of Norway’s best scholars in the field. Scholars from Norway and around the North Sea will present research on Viking legal traditions, governance, and cultural exchange across the North Atlantic. Workshops program will follow!
Program Overview
Monday, April 27 – Bergen
• Arrival day – optional informal night on the town!
Tuesday, April 28 – Bergen
• 09:00–12:00 Welcome, introduction & Lectures at Bryggens Museum, Auditorium
• 12:00–13:00 Lunch
• 13:00–15:00 DVA Workshops
• 15:00–16:00 Guided Tours: The Rosenkrantz Tower & King Håkon’s Hall
• 17:00–19:00 Free time to Explore Bergen
• 19:00–22:00 Speed dating and Dinner
Wednesday, April 29 – Bergen → Gulen
N.B. Check out from hotel for Gulen trip and overnight stay
• 09:00–12:00 Lectures at Bryggens Museum, Auditorium
• 12:00-13:00 Lunch
• 13:00–14:00 Guided Tour: The UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen
• 15:45–17:25 Express Boat to Skjerjehamn, Gulen
• 17:30-20:00 Check-in at Skjerjehamn & exploration
• 20:00–23:00 Dinner & Reception by the Mayor of Gulen
Note: Hotels in Gulen are reserved. You may pay for your room upon arrival (or invoice if preferred).
Prizes will vary according to room size.
Thursday, April 30 – Gulen → Bergen
• 09:15–09:30 Boat trip to Sollibotn, Eivindvik
• 09:30-09:45 Transport to Eivindvik (or walk the Pilgrim route!)
• 10:00-10:45 Guided tour in Eivindvik (Original Gulating Thingsite)
• 10:45-11:00 Transport
• 11:00-11:45 Guided tour The Millennium site of Gulatinget (Guløy mentioned in Sagas)
• 11:45-12:45 Viking tapas lunch at Gulatinget
• 12:45-13:45 Departure
• 14:30-15:30 Visit to King Haakon the Good’s grave site at Seim
• 15:30-17:00 Return to Bergen
• 17:00-18:00 Bergen – Arrival/Checkin
• 18:00-19:30 Free time
• 19:30-22:00 Dinner in Bergen
Friday, May 1 – Bergen
• Departure day
Academic Highlights
• Jørn Øyrehagen Sunde – Gulating Law and Viking Society
• Guttorm Rogdaberg – The Gulating Lawman Sigurd Brynjulvson of Aga
• Marie Ødegård – The Leidang system and coastal defense
• Irene Baug – Archaeology and stone crosses
• Stefan Drechsler – Norwegian landscape laws, the two Icelandic versions of Grágás, as well as its connections and problems with Icelandic saga texts
• Allison Fox – Tynwald and The Isle of Man
• Andras Mortensen – Widening of the Gulating jurisdiction to the Faroe Islands
• Program is under development. More to come!
Why attend?
This is a unique opportunity to explore the UNESCO City of Bergen – The Gateway to the Fjords, visit the Cradle of Norwegian Democracy – Gulatinget, travel through the West-Coast of Norway between calm coastal islands and the majestic Norwegian Fjords. The conference is an opportunity to engage with leading experts in Viking Law, explore historical sites, and network with colleagues in the DVA. And have a blast in Bergen and Gulen!
We recommend these hotels near Bryggens Museum for the stay in Bergen
Raddison Blue Bergen – Next door neighbour to the Bryggens Museum.
Havnekontoret – A more “posh” alternative.
Thon Hotell Orion – 5 minute walk and right next door to the Tower and Hall.
The Hanseatic Hotel – If you want to live on the Bryggen (UNESCO site) in a very traditional Hanseatic environment.
Registration
Please register for the conference using the form below, and confirm your participation by 20th of March.
Conference fee NOK 2500
For inquiries, contact: Anne Hopland – anne.hopland@gulen.kommune.no.