Monday, June 26, 2023

Hjemkomst

Fargo ND is across the Red River from Moorhead MN where the Viking ship Hjemkomst (pronounced ‘yam-komst’) is located.  

Here’s the story.  In 1972 a gentleman of Norse ancestry had a dream to build an authentic Norse Viking ship from the 1400’s.  Over the next 10 years he made that dream come true. In 1982 12 men and one woman set sail from Duluth MN through the Great Lakes and down to New York City.  One man decided to go home to his family, the remaining 12 headed out into the Atlantic Ocean headed for Norway.  They made it to Norway in about 3 months and then sailed along the coastline to Oslo where the boat stayed for about 2 years before being shipped back to Fargo.
Included in this museum is an authentic Stave Church.  The foundation of the building is built on pillar like staves pounded into the ground.  Without the stone foundation the staves would eventually rot but the stone carry the water away so they stay solid.  The roof is created with angled slats and the interior has no seating as the people were required to stand for the services.  The small apse has pictures of Christ’s life because most people could not read so a story was told with pictures.

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