Troldhaugen, the villa where Grieg composed overlooking the fjord
A small yellow wooden house perched on a hillside, the gentle lapping of the Nordås lake below, and at the end of the garden, a tiny log cabin that barely holds a piano. This is Troldhaugen (Troll Hill), where Edvard Grieg composed a large portion of his work between 1885 and his death in 1907.
Why visit Troldhaugen?
Grieg is the most famous Norwegian composer in the world, known primarily for Peer Gynt and his Piano Concerto in A Minor. His widow, the singer Nina Grieg, bequeathed the property to the city of Bergen, which transformed it into a museum in 1928. It is one of the few 19th-century composer homes preserved almost intact, complete with its original furniture.
The villa and the composer's cabin
The interior of the villa has kept its period atmosphere, including the living room with its Steinway piano, the couple's personal belongings, and the view of the fjord from the windows. The emotional heart of the property, however, is found a bit lower down by the water: the Komponisthytta (Composer's Cabin), a writing shack of just a few square meters where Grieg isolated himself to compose, away from the visitors who were already beginning to disturb him at the main house.
Not far away, the couple rests in a tomb carved directly into the rock overlooking the lake, a burial choice as understated as the man himself.
Concerts and the Troldsalen hall
The museum houses Troldsalen, a concert hall built in 1985 with a large window that opens onto the fjord behind the stage. Classical music recitals, often focused on Grieg's repertoire, are held there regularly during the summer season, usually in the middle of the day.
Pro tip: Check the concert schedule before planning your visit. Attending a recital in this hall with the fjord as a backdrop completely transforms the experience. You get a better sense of where the music came from when hearing it in the very place it was composed.
Best for
- Classical music enthusiasts and history buffs
- A quiet getaway outside of downtown Bergen
- Visitors interested in 19th-century Scandinavian history
Less suitable for
- Travelers in a hurry looking for a quick stop
- Those completely unfamiliar with Grieg and his body of work
Opening hours
- May to September: daily 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- October to April: daily 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Closed December 24, 25, 26, 31 and January 1.
How long for this activity
Plan on spending about 2 to 3 hours to explore the villa, the composer's hut, and the attached museum. Allow for half a day if you want to attend one of the daily concerts held in the music room.
*Information subject to change
This museum, which is located in a typical Bergen house, is really very interesting. It traces the life and career of the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Whether you know him or not, you should enjoy the collections on display. For my part, it made me want to listen to and explore his work once the visit was over.