Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum — known in English as Norway’s Home Front Museum or Norway’s Resistance Museum — is a moving and fascinating place tucked inside the walls of Akershus Fortress in Oslo. It’s dedicated to telling the story of Norway’s resistance during the German occupation in World War II, from 1940 to 1945. Opened in 1970, the museum was designed with help from former resistance members and aims to both document history and honor those who fought for Norway’s freedom.

Inside the old 17th-century building, you walk through a series of exhibits arranged in chronological order, starting with the years before the war and ending with the liberation in May 1945. The displays are full of authentic artifacts — weapons, radios, underground newspapers, uniforms, and personal items — alongside photos, posters, and documents from the time. One of the most striking features is how the museum recreates scenes of daily life under occupation and the dangers faced by the underground resistance. The design, created by architect Otto Torgersen, gives visitors the sense of walking through the story as it unfolded, rather than just looking at objects in glass cases.

Situated right next to a memorial for those executed during the war, the museum’s location itself is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made. For both Norwegians and visitors from abroad, it’s a sobering and inspiring experience — a small but deeply meaningful tribute to courage, defiance, and hope in one of Norway’s darkest times.