There is nothing immediately impressive about Foteviken, a bay in the Baltic Sea on the outskirts of a picturesque little community surrounded by agriculture. But in one fell swoop, at the height of the Nordic summer, 650 vikings from 15 countries around the globe all land, like migrating birds, on this one south Swedish beach. These are not your average monastery raiders! Although there will be a battle at the end of the week, most of them are there to participate in the great Halör market.
More of a Viking Reservation than a Viking Museum
Fotevikens Museum is the site of the events. Though technically a museum, it is more than that; it is a reservation where the local time is perpetually set to 1134 AD. There are no mobile phones, no styrofoam cups, and no cigarettes. The vikings are not museum officers, they are there for their own enjoyment. The museum simply provides a setting: a closed environment with period buildings and ships.
The modern visitor, however, is not required to don period clothing and forgo their iPhone. There exist simultaneously two worlds at Foteviken, the 12th and the 21st centuries, and in the moments at which they meet there is suspension of disbelief felt by all.
Halör Market: the Annual Foteviken Viking Faire
The date of this grand event is normally set for the last week of June. There are events all week for the vikings who usually arrive a week early to celebrate Midsummer together, but the doors do not open to modern visitors until Thursday evening. Thursday is the sneak-preview for the actual market days. There are fewer visitors, but also less market activity.
Friday is the first true market day. Although it is a weekday, this is prime holiday season in Sweden and there will be plenty of visitors. On sale are all manner of viking foods and crafts, from jewellery and hand-woven cloth to carved wooden chests and fur hats. The rules are very strict and all merchants are expected to be able to account for the origins and historicity of their goods.
The market continues through the weekend. That is also when fighters gather for the annual re-enactment of the battle of Foteviken, which took place in the bay on June 4, 1134.
The true spirit of the Viking Age comes alive during Halör Market. It is not simply because there are many vikings, and loose poultry, running around. There is a strong sense of pride and hard workmanship, and of family values. But what makes the Foteviken Viking Faire truly medieval is its healthy barter system, the mishmash of languages, and how the savvy shopper comes home with a pouch full of mixed currency.
Getting to Fotevikens Museum
Foteviken is easily accessible by car. From Copenhagen, Gothenburg or Malmö, those wishing to visit by car follow the signs for route E6 to Trelleborg until reaching exit 8 towards Höllviken. Signs then guide the visitor to the designated parking area.
It is also very easy to reach Foteviken by bus from Malmö. Bus-line 100 takes the travellers to Halörsvägen in Höllviken. From there, the reservation is only a short walk away. A bicycle and pedestrian path leading straight to the museum is accessible on the left when walking back towards the roundabout.
Other Things to do in the Area
The market dates for 2010 are July 1-4. Vikings enter for free.
Emma Oxenby Wohlfart - E P Wohlfart decided at age 14 that she was going to move to Scotland for university. Once there, she often sat in class thinking to ...
