kulturminneforvaltningen

Kulturminneforvaltningen is the Norwegian public authority responsible for protecting, preserving, and managing the country’s cultural heritage. It operates under the Ministry of Culture and implements national policy on cultural heritage protection, conservation, and use. The agency is headed by the Riksantikvaren (Director of Cultural Heritage), who leads the Directorate for Cultural Heritage and coordinates with national and local authorities, museums, researchers, property owners, and the public.

Its core responsibilities include maintaining official registers of protected monuments, sites, and buildings; enforcing the Cultural Heritage Act; and handling permissions for alterations to protected cultural assets. It oversees archaeological investigations and the management of state-funded conservation projects. The agency also provides advisory services to landowners and developers, supports local heritage work through grants and guidance, and collaborates with museums and universities to promote research and public access.

Kulturminneforvaltningen works in partnership with municipalities, counties, and international organizations to safeguard both material and, where relevant, intangible cultural heritage. It maintains documentation, archives, and knowledge bases about Norway’s cultural resources and promotes education and outreach about heritage protection. The agency’s work is integral to balancing heritage conservation with sustainable development and public enjoyment of cultural heritage.