I think that Vardø is one of the towns in Norway that has the most to do and see for its size! Because of that, it is one of my favorite places to visit in Norway even if I haven’t written much about it on the blog (that is about to change).
In beautiful Vardø, you’ll find street art, Drakkar, the Pomor Museum, and the Vardø Fortress, but perhaps the most famous place to visit is Steilneset, a memorial to those persecuted and sentenced to death in the Vardø witch trials.
In this guide, I will detail how to visit Steilneset in Vardø, including a short recap of its tragic history and the story behind the memorial’s design.
You’ll find out how to get there, some tips for respectfully visiting Steilneset Memorial (‘minnested’ in Norwegian), and some books that I think are pretty interesting reads before your trip to Vardø.
If you have any questions in the comments, please let me know! Thanks!
In this post...
Steilneset Practical Information
If you are looking for a quick overview of where you will find Steilneset, opening hours, and more – here you go!
- Location: Steilneset Memorial, Andreas Lies gate, 9950 Vardø, Norway
- Opening Hours: Open 24/7
- Parking: Parking is available nearby (the town is never that busy and streets almost always have available parking)
- Entrance Fee: Free
What is Vardø’s Steilneset?
Vardø’s Steilneset (also referred to as ‘The Witches Monument’) is a memorial site. This monument commemorates those who died during the Vardø witch trials.
The Steilneset Memorial is a collaboration between the late artist Louise Bourgeois and Peter Zumthor, an architect.
The monument was opened in 2011, over 300 years after the witch trials took place.
The Vardø Witch Trials
The Vardø witch trials took place in Vardø (Finnmark) during the 17th century. During these witch trials, individuals (primarily women) were put on trial and accused of sorcery, as well as making a pact with the devil.
The belief in witchcraft came around in the 17th century, partly due to a sudden storm in December 1617. Many ships were out at sea during this time and unfortunately, 40 men died due to the conditions.
There was a growing belief that witchcraft was involved in this storm, as it was believed that witches could control the weather.
That same year, a new sorcery and witchcraft law was issued and referred to as ‘The Sorcery Ordinance’. This decree abolished witchcraft and ordered that those practicing dark magic were to be burnt at the stake.
This law wasn’t implemented until 1620 in Finnmark, and then in 1621, the Vardø witch trials began. There were three large mass trials in Northern Norway, which took place here. These occurred in 1621, 1651-1653, and 1662-1663.
In total, 91 people were executed during the Vardø witch trials, many of which were sentenced to be burned at the stake. These executions took place mostly in Vardø, with the fires being lit at Steilneset, which is where the monument is located today.
Design by Bourgeois and Zumthor
The Steilneset Memorial offers a very unique design. The site consists of two modern buildings, with both Louise Bourgeois and Peter Zumthor having a section.
In Peter Zumthor’s section of the memorial, you’ll walk along a 400-foot (122-meter) corridor illuminated by 91 small lights.
These lights are set into little windows and represent the 91 individuals who were executed during the witch trials. Not only that, but each window features a plaque that details stories about the victims.
In Louise Bourgeois’ section, you’ll find a large box made of smoked glass. This darkened room contains a steel chair, which has a continuous burning flame.
The chair is surrounded by mirrors, which causes the lights to bounce off each other. This makes the room ‘dance with flames’.
The installation is called ‘The Damned, The Possessed, and The Beloved’.
How to Get There
Vardø’s Steilneset Memorial is set in a relatively remote coastal location, around a 10-minute walk from Vardø’s center.
Alternatively, you can drive as there’s parking nearby. I recommend walking though (and you can see the Vardø Fortress before or after as they are practically beside each other.
The memorial is about a 15-minute drive from the village of Kiberg, and just over an hour’s drive from Vadsø. Kirkenes is around a 3.5-hour drive away.
Tips for Respectfully Visiting Steilneset
Descriptions at Vardø’s Steilneset are in Norwegian. However, you can pick up an English leaflet when entering the monument if they have some available.
A visit to the Steilneset Memorial can be a haunting experience. Some people choose to go at night when you can expect to have a more chilling visit.
After honoring the victims, take some time to explore the surrounding area and admire the wild landscapes (also be sure to stop by the Vardøhus Festning).
This goes without saying, but make sure you’re respectful during your visit.
Books You Might Like
There are two books I have read that are inspired by the Vardø witch trials and I think they are fantastic reads before you visit Vardø. The first is The Witches of Vardø and the second is The Mercies.
Both are newer publications and the stories are compelling and will kind of put the witch trials and history into context, even if it is done in a fictional manner throughout the books.
Nevertheless, it humanized the experience quite a bit and made my visit to Steilneset a powerful one.
Do you have any questions about visiting Steilneset on your trip to Vardø? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
More Varanger Travel Guides
- Båtsfjord travel guide
- Berlevåg travel guide
- Kirkenes travel guide
- Kongsfjord travel guide
- Bugøynes travel guide
- Båtsfjord to Berlevåg itinerary
- Where to stay in Kirkenes
Pin this Steilneset Minnested Visitor Guide
Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.