Rosala Viking Center, museum and visitor center on a island in the Archipelago Sea, Finland

597

The Rosala Viking Center is museum and visitor center where families with children can learn about the Viking Age history of the archipelago, play games, go on a trail, enjoy an authentic meal in the Chiftain's hall, and even spend the night. Dogs are allowed.

The center is located on the Kemiönsaari island in the Archipelago Sea and is open regular hours during the summer, and on some weekends, during holidays, and on request otherwise. The center offers edutainment programs for schools, birthday parties, and corporate events.

Development of the Viking village started in 1992, when the founders, inspired by the archaeological excavations at Kyrksundet, built their first reconstructed Viking building, the dwelling house Farmansgården. In the following years many other buildings and reconstructions have been added, and as of 2021, there were more than 30 points of interest on the center's guide map.

The Viking Centre is owned and run by Paul Wilson, second-generation family entrepreneur. All development of the Viking village is funded using the income from the museum and tourism activities. All entrance fees go towards maintaining and developing the exhibitions of the museum. The Rosala Viking Centre Ltd also runs a small travel agency on Rosala, handling, among other things, trips to Rosala and to the Bengtskär lighthouse.

During summer, it is possible to stop at the Rosala village for a tour and a hot fish soup on the way to the Bengtskär lighthouse from Kasnäs.