Steilneset Memorial

The Steilneset Memorial in Vardo, Norway's easternmost town, is a stunning major work by Louise Bourgeois and architect Peter Zumthor commemorating the 1621 trial and execution of 91 persons suspected of witchcraft. A series of witchcraft trials took place in Norway during the 17th century, with Vardo having the highest number of executions.

Several women were imprisoned and tortured in the Vardohus Fortress, accusing them of flying to meet Satan at the witches' sabbath. After being tortured, many of them confessed and were then burnt at the stake.

Vardo in Finnmark (modern-day northern Norway) had a spike in violent witchcraft trials and executions in the winter of 1662 and 1662. The individuals who were executed in all the cases were indigenous Sami.

The Steilneset Memorial installation, which was unveiled 348 years after the most renowned trials, dominates Vardo's majestic environment. The memorial, which consists of two independent buildings, was commissioned by the inhabitants of Vardo as well as many national agencies.

The first is a 410-meter-long wooden structure enclosing a fabric cocoon; the second is a square smoked glass room containing Bourgeois' artwork — a chair surrounded by flames mirrored in mirrors.

Location: Vardo, Norway