Polar History

Many polar explorers set out from the Varanger region and traces of their expeditions can still be seen today. Roald Amundsen, Fridtjof Nansen and Umberto Nobile all stopped here on their way to the North Pole.

Airships "Norge" and "Italia"

Roald Amundsen landed in Vadsø on his expedition to the North Pole in 1926. The Italian Umberto Nobile constructed and flew the airship they used. Amundsen used it to investigate the area between the North Pole and North America. Despite a somewhat dramatic ending, the expedition was a success and Amundsen and his men returned as heroes. Two years later, Nobile landed another airship, "Italia", whilst on a new mission. This expedition came to a halt when the airship crashed northeast of Svalbard. Nobile and many of his crew survived.

Today you can still see traces of these expeditions. The mast to which the airships were anchored is still standing in Vadsø and has become a landmark. Vadsø museum has pictures and models relating to these expeditions.

Polar Ship "Fram"

Fridtjof Nansen departed from Vardø on 21st July 1893 in his polar vessel "Fram". His aim was to reach the North Pole, but he never actually got there. At 86 degrees 14 minutes north, Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen were forced to turn back. No other person had ever been so far north. They didn't make it back to the ship and had to spend the winter in Franz Josefs Land. After little over three years on the ice, they returned to Vardø on 13th August 1896 on another ship.

At the museum in Vardø you can see a polar exhibition, and in the centre of Vardø you will find a statue of Fridtjof Nansen.