The open-air section features over 50 relocated historical buildings dating from the 16th century to the early 20th century.
The Krona building is designed with a striking modern aesthetic that contrasts with the traditional farmstead architecture of the surrounding open-air museum.
The museum serves as the primary repository for the history of the Molde International Jazz Festival, which has been held annually in the city since 1961.
Many of the timber houses on display were rescued from demolition and carefully reassembled on the museum site to preserve regional architectural heritage.
The collection includes rare examples of 'loft' buildings, which served as traditional storehouses for food and valuable textiles on wealthy farms.
The Romsdal Museum is one of Norway's largest folk museums, featuring an extensive collection of historical timber buildings relocated from across the Romsdal region. It functions as an open-air museum where visitors walk through an authentic 19th-century village environment composed of farmhouses, outbuildings, and traditional town houses. The site includes the Crown Prince’s birch grove, planted in 1929, and the modern Krona building which houses indoor exhibitions. The indoor displays cover regional history, textiles, folk art, and the history of the Molde Jazz Festival. The open-air section showcases various construction techniques, including log building and turf-roofed architecture. The museum grounds are landscaped to reflect traditional Norwegian rural aesthetics.
The elevated vantage point within the open-air village provides a framing of traditional timber houses against the backdrop of the Romsdal mountains and the fjord.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the open-air museum is situated on a hilly, uneven terrain with gravel paths.
Check the museum website for guided tour schedules, as entering some of the older wooden interiors is only permitted during guided sessions.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding museum park, which offers distinct views of the Molde panorama.
Do not attempt to enter the older historical buildings without staff permission, as they are fragile and often kept locked.
The open-air section is seasonal, typically operating from late spring through early autumn, while the indoor Krona museum remains open year-round.
Respect barriers inside historical wooden structures to preserve original flooring and artifacts; refrain from touching delicate textiles or painted wood surfaces.
