The Hamsun Centre and Kafé Sult
On June 13th, the summer season starts at The Hamsun Centre The center is open every day and offers a day program where you can get to know both the building and Knut Hamsun's life and writings better.
Photo: Ernst Furuhatt
Daily program
On The Hamsun Centre Our facilitators have put together a varied daily program. The program runs every day so you can come by on the day that suits you without missing anything. There are four different stations during the day, with architectural tours twice per day. Come by the center to learn more about the tower building's distinctive architecture, immerse yourself in Knut Hamsun's books and gain insight into his thoughts on America through the summer's lectures.
These are activities that take place in Norwegian.
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Join us on a walk through the quirky tower, and gain insight into the Hamsun Center's unique architecture and the connection to Knut Hamsun's life and writings.
We start on the 1st floor, and end up on the Roof Terrace.
Duration: approximately 30 minutes.
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Hamsun spent four years in America in the years before he found his modern writing voice. When he returned, he wrote a book about America. The book was considered exaggerated and one-sided. What do we think of his analyses of America today?
Duration: about 20 minutes
Held in the Adventure Hall.
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One summer day in 1891, a stranger named Johan Nilsen Nagel lands in a small coastal town. He is wearing a striking yellow suit and carrying a violin case. Who is he, and what is he doing there? In this journey, we take you into one of Hamsun's strangest and most peculiar novels.
Duration: approximately 25 minutes.
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Svermere, from 1904, is a real summer book. Funny, short and with a gallery of characters that embraces the high and low in a village in Northern Norway in the 1870s. Join us for a pleasant reading session in the eternal day of the Nordland summer, where you will get to know some of the colorful characters in Svermere a little better.
Duration: about 15 minutes
Takes place outdoors (in the Adventure Hall in inclement weather).
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Join us on a walk through the quirky tower, and gain insight into the Hamsun Center's unique architecture and the connection to Knut Hamsun's life and writings.
We start on the 1st floor, and end up on the Roof Terrace.
Duration: approximately 30 minutes.
If you are an international guest, we can offer you an introduction to the intriguing architecture of the Hamsun Center in English. Please ask the staff at the reception, and we will be happy to tell you more about our museum.
Kafé Sult
The cafe on the 1st floor of The Hamsun Centre offers delicious cakes and hearty lunch dishes for young and old. Northern Norwegian produce and Hamsun's universe participate in various ways.
Photo: Visit Bodø
Exhibitions
The Hamsun Centre consists of 4 rich floors filled with exciting exhibitions. Opens in the summer of 2026 The Hamsun Centre a new main exhibition on the 4th floor and a new temporary exhibition on the 5th floor. In addition, you can visit the roof terrace and look out over Glimma.
Photo: Ernst pine hat
Ticket prices and opening hours
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The Hamsun Centre has its own prices during the summer season June 13 - August 16. Prices outside the season are updated continuously.
Adult: 170NOK
Honors/Student: 150NOK
Groups of 15+: 130NOK
(per person)Day pass adult and senior/student: 200NOK
( The Hamsun Centre and childhood home)Children under 18 years: Free
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The Hamsun Centre and Kafé Sult is open all year round, but extends opening hours in the summer.
Opening hours June 13 - August 16:
Every day
10:00-18:00 (Kafe Sult closes for larger orders at 17:00)Regular opening hours outside the summer season:
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Friday: 10:00 – 15:30
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Knut Hamsun's childhood home
A 10 minute drive from The Hamsun Centre you will find Knut Hamsun's childhood home. The childhood home is open for visits during the summer period 1 July - 9 August.
