“Focal point Arkivet: Occupation, resistance, captivity and collaboration in Agder 1940-1945” is a permanent exhibition located in the basement, where the Gestapo had its headquarters and carried out brutal interrogations during the war.

Brennpunkt Arkivet opened in April 2016 and has a recommended age limit of 12 years.

About the Exhibition

Based on the building’s history as the Gestapo headquarters from 1942-1945, Focal point Arkivet aims to provide a deeper understanding of how individual choices influence the development of society in a specific direction. The exhibition reflects new research knowledge about the Gestapo’s activities in Agder. Additionally, it presents new perspectives on the history of Norwegian prisoners. What were the long-term effects of imprisonment on the former prisoners and their families?

ARKIVET is placed in a new and larger context, as a first stop within the vast complex of prisons and camps created by the Nazis across much of Europe. At the same time, it is a goal to demystify the perpetrators and take their humanity seriously—without absolving them of guilt for their crimes.

The exhibition consists of different rooms, each designed to answer different questions. The various sections have distinct styles. It uses a wide range of methods and display techniques: from detailed dioramas and reconstructed cells with model figures to film installations, touchscreens, interactive objects, and panels with texts that provide background information about people and events.