This is Skansen
Skansen is Sweden’s – and the world’s – oldest open-air museum, bringing together cultural history, nature and animals in one place.
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Skansen brings together historic houses, farms and environments from different parts of Sweden and different periods in history. Visitors can explore how people have lived and worked through the centuries, in an open-air museum designed to be discovered at their own pace.
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Skansen is home to Nordic wild animals and traditional Swedish livestock breeds. The park also includes the Baltic Sea Science Center, where life beneath the surface of the Baltic Sea can be explored, as well as the Skansen Aquarium with animals from different parts of the world.
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Experiences throughout the year
Throughout the year, Skansen offers programmes and activities shaped by the changing seasons and Swedish traditions. The range includes concerts, stage performances, craft days and markets, giving visitors different ways to experience the site.
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Skansen’s parks and gardens feature both traditional garden plants and heritage crops. These green environments invite visitors to walk, pause and learn about gardening and cultivation as part of everyday life through time.
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At Skansen, Swedish traditions and celebrations such as Midsummer, Christmas and Easter are highlighted throughout the year. Set in historic surroundings, these occasions show how holidays have been marked in Sweden over time, with elements such as music, dance and markets.
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Visits can be enhanced through guided tours or by using a web-based audio guide. These offer context and knowledge about Skansen’s history, environments and animals, while allowing visitors to explore the site at their own pace.
Our history and our work
Skansen is a foundation with a rich history, and today we strive to preserve it while creating a place where people can experience Sweden's animal, natural and cultural heritage in a fun and educational way.
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Vision and mission
Skansen’s vision is to be a beacon for learning and inspiring experiences of nature and culture in Sweden. For history, the present and the future. The guest’s experience is at the center and we offer a zoo, an open-air museum and a place for inspiring meetings.
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Skansen is today the world’s oldest open-air museum and was founded in 1891 by the linguist, teacher and folk educator Artur Hazelius. Read about Arthur Hazelius and how the world’s oldest open-air museum was founded.