One of the world’s largest areas of untouched nature awaits you. In the summer, beautiful colours and contrasts provide the frames for dramatic glaciers, majestic mountain formations, buzzing bird mountains and endless arctic tundra with its diverse fl ora and fauna. Visitors find themselves enclosed by the unparalleled silence on Svalbard.

The light lures us to this unique place in which the midnight sun shines from early spring till autumn. During the winter, the northern lights cast sparkles of light across snow-covered, pointed mountain
peaks and an infi nite landscape. The blue light caught between darkness and light turns reality into a pure
fairytale. The surroundings become works of art. A stay on Svalbard is the perfect vacation if you want
peace, quiet and space for thoughts and dreams.

photo credit: Yukon White Light

Thoughts swell in the encounter with Svalbard’s exciting history and fascinating cultural monuments located
across the archipelago. We move with respect in this vulnerable landscape. For the sake of your safety and to ensure that you get the most out of your stay on Svalbard, we recommend our local tour operators’ diverse selection of organised tours.

photo credit: aliasgrace

Facts about Svalbard

photo credit: thecameo

The archipelago that constitutes Svalbard with its 61 000 square metres is located at 74º – 81º N and 10º – 35º E. The largest islands are Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Barentsøya, Edgeøya and Prins Karls Forland. The
archipelago is governed by Norway and regulated by the Svalbard Treaty. There are multiple settlements on
Spitsbergen, and Longyearbyen is the Norwegian administrative centre with approximately 2000 inhabitants. Of these, about 240 commute to the mining community of Svea. Ny-Ålesund is an international research centre with approximately 40-100 inhabitants (depending on the time of year). Barentsburg is the centre of Russian mining activities and has about 500 inhabitants. In addition, Poland operates a research station in Hornsund with 10-12 inhabitants. There is no road connection between the settlements.

photo credit: Yukon White Light

Short history

In 1194, the ”Svalbarði fundinn” was noted in Icelandic texts, in which Svalbard was referred to as the ”land of cold coasts”. After Willem Barentsz discovered Svalbard in 1596, Svalbard became a site for international whaling (1600-1750), Russian all-winter hunting (1700-1850) and Norwegian all-winter hunting (1850-1973). In 1906, American John M. Longyear established the fi rst mine and named the town Longyearbyen. In 1916, Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani took over the mining activities in Longyearbyen. Almost 40 countries signed the Svalbard Treaty in 1920, and Norway was granted sovereignty in 1925. In 2002, the responsibility for community services and public authority tasks were transferred from the Norwegian government to Longyearbyen Community Council. This Council is an extended local democracy based on a unique model adapted to the local circumstances.

photo credit: Juergen Kurlvink

photo credit: welcome_to_nunavik

Location

Group of islands between 74° – 81° N and 10° – 35° E.
Area 63 000 sq.km.; 60% covered by glacier
Largest islands Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Barentsøya, Edgeøya and Prins Karls Forland
Settlements

• Longyearbyen (Norwegian administrative centre) 2 080 inhabitants
• Barentsburg (Russian mining community) 500 inhabitants
• Ny-Ålesund (Norw. international research centre) 40 inhabitants
• Sveagruva (Norwegian mining community) 210 commuters
• Hornsund (Polish research station) 8 inhabitants

Administration Norwegian sovereignty, regulated by the Svalbard Treaty of 1920.
Transportation By plane from/to Oslo and Tromsø, Norway.
There are no roads connecting the communities on Svalbard.

For more in depth information and brochure’s about Svalbard please visit: Svalbard.net

photo credit: Federisco

Attractions

Ålesund & Sunnmøre has a rich and varied assortment of natural and cultural attractions. The great variety of sights and the short distances between them allows you to choose just the kind of holiday experience you are looking for. Those of you with a particular interest, be it in coastal or fjord culture, town history, Viking history, fisheries, language, architecture and design, or flora and fauna, are sure to find the ideal spot to expand your knowledge. Museums and experience centres often put on theme exhibitions for limited periods, or organise activity days in which the public can take an active part.

photo credit: Anders Finn

Restaurants

Ålesund & Sunnmøre has a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, pubs and nightclubs. Restaurants have both Norwegian and international dishes on the menu, with ingredients taken from Nature’s own larder! You will find the greatest choice in Ålesund, which has an abundance of gourmet restaurants and traditional cafés. Ålesund is also home to the annual Norwegian Food Festival with its bustling crowds and enthusiasm for food. You can also allow yourself to be surprised by the culinary experiences and long pleasant evenings on offer in lovely rural towns like Ulsteinvik, Fosnavåg or Volda and roadside locations in the Sunnmøre district. You might well find your favourite restaurant there.

photo credit: wOLD

Useful information

Ålesund & Sunnmøre comprises 13 municipalities offering a number of services such as libraries, cinemas, car parks and guest marinas. In the towns, the cinemas are on a par with the rest of Western Europe and they show films in their original languages, with Norwegian subtitles. If you are looking for tourist information offices, travel agents or need to hire a guide with a good command of languages, you will find the information here. If you should require the services of a doctor, dentist or a pharmacy, you will also find them listed here.

For more in depth information about Ålesund please visit: Visitalesund.com

Hardangervidda is the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe. In 1981, part of the Vidda became a protected area and called Hardangervidda National Park.

The scenery on Hardangervidda varies a lot. In the east the landscape is open and flat, while in the west and south there are mountain ranges up to 1700 meter high. In the far west, the terrain plunges abruptly down to Sørfjorden.

photo credit: threedots

photo credit: Skygge

Fundamental rock species are to be found in the national park, slate and species originating from lava. In some areas there are long ridges of gravel formed by the melting ice during the Ice Age. The difference in climate and landscape between west and east has an influence on the vegetation of these two areas. The west has a high level of rainfall and even temperatures, ideal for the vegetation. On the eastern side of the Vidda the vegetation is not so luxuriant.

photo credit: -Kj.

Hardangervidda is known for its rich plant and animal life, and is the most southern area in Norway where arctic flora and fauna can be found. Over 500 plant species are registered, as well as 100 species of birds and 21 different mammals in the central Vidda. There are also many lakes, streams, rivers and bogs on the Vidda, which is renowned for its good fishing. Northern Europe’s largest stock of reindeer can be found on Hardangervidda.

More information about Hardangervidda: The Norwegian Trekking association | Visit Norway

Your stay in Geiranger will bring you in touch with helpful, friendly and not least multi-lingual people who all share a common purpose: To make your visit to Geiranger a memorable one. We wish you a warm welcome to Geiranger!

photo credit: rimantux

The most beautiful scenery in the world?

Geiranger – magnificent, wild and beautiful. The Geiranger Fjord, the falls and the majestic, sheer mountains have all made the village one of Norway’s most visited tourist venues.

If you want to see Geiranger from the finest view-points, you can drive up to Ørnesvingen, Flydalsjuvet or Dalsnibba (toll road). Or you can walk up to Vesteråsfjellet or Skageflå.

The Geiranger Fjord is called the most beautiful fjord in the world. Here you will find scenery that will leave you breathless. Take a fjord cruise and see it all. Then you will also get to know more about how life was on the abandoned farms along the fjord’s banks, such as Skageflå, Knivsflå and Blomberg.

photo credit: Juergen Kurlvink

photo credit: sigkyrre

Active open air adventure…

If you enjoy wandering through beautiful scenery, there are many sign-posted walks of varying degrees of difficulty. Here, you can enjoy he peace and quiet and the impressive natural beauty at your leisure. Free maps and descriptions of walks are available from the tourist information office or your hotel/guest house.

The Geiranger Fjord is Mother Earth at her most beautiful. Tourists have been impressed and awed with this magnificent scenery ever since the first cruise ship glided into the fjord in 1869. If you would like to see the”most beautiful fjord in the world” in your own time, you may hire your a boat and plan your own trip.

photo credit: lecu_lillas

f you are a keen angler, there are excellent opportunities both in the Geiranger Fjord and the lakes and rivers in the surrounding district.

Should you prefer ball games, you and your friends will have a thoroughly enjoyable time at “Bingen”. The ball-play site is free of charge and is ideal for “five-a-side” football, handball and basketball.

More info about Geiranger can be found here: Geiranger.no

The Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is no doubt the best known tourist attraction and has been a magnet for tourists for over 150 years. The characteristic mountain shelf 604 metres over Lysefjord has been visited by hundreds of thousands throughout the years.

Image gallery:

From the Preikestolhytta, a 7 km traiI climbs the rest of the 350 metres to the top. Good shoes and physical health are necessary for the 3 – 4 hour hike.
In June – August there are daily buses from the ferry quay at Tau to the cabin. You can also enjoy the Pulpit Rock and the Kjeragbolt from the ferries and express boats on the fjord.

The Kjerag mountains rise majestically 1000 metres above the innermost part of the Lysefjord, offering a stupendous view of Lysebotn and the fjord.

photo credit: Helico

One attraction is Kjeragbolten, a boulder wedged into a crack in the mountain.

The trail from Øygardsstøl by Lysevegen road above Lysebotn is demanding. Allow 4 – 6 hours for the 1O km hike, which climbs 570 metres.

Good shoes and physical health are advised. The truly adventurous climb up the precipitous rock faces or parachute from the top.

photo credit: Dany_Sternfeld

The new Lysebotn road has become another great tourist attraction, almost through coincidence; it was built as part of the power station project and not with tourists in mind. The road has 27 hairpin curves and a drop of 950 metres. The last section of road passes through a 1100 metres tunnel and on the top a cafe called Øygardsstøl.

photo credit: Kai Mengel

Innermost in the magnificent Lysefjord lies the village of Lysebotn, the perfect base for exploring the fjord and nearby mountains. Lysebotn power station, experience at close hand how Lysefjord´s waterfalls are turned into electrical energy. In Lysefjorden centre presents the history of the Lysefjord – how it was created and it´s culture throughout the ages – all organised in an exciting, exhibition and adventure centre.

Dyreparken is actually five separate parks, including a water park (bring bathing suits and towels); a forested park; an entertainment park; a theme park; and a zoo, which contains an enclosure for Scandinavian animals such as wolves and elk, a large breeding ground for Bactrian camels, and exotic animals such as lions and tigers. In the zoo, the Africa exhibition allows you to move along a bridge observing native savanna animals such as giraffe and zebras. The park is 11 km (6 mi) east of town.

photo credit: Visit sørlandet

Kristiansand Zoo is Norway`s most frequently visited attraction covering an area of 150 acres of wild Nordic terrain. It is totally different from other European zoos, which are characterised by bars and heavy padlocks. In Kristiansand Zoo, the animals have wide open spaces in which to roam – however, the visitors are still able to get up close to observe some of the most beautiful animals – like the red panda, which is threatened by extinction.

The first part of the rain forest is alive with a variety of apes and monkeys. Here you will find an open air area where some of the smaller monkeys run wild amongst the trees and climbling areas and swing on the ropes while you can move amongst them! Deeper into the rain forest, the mist and the humid atmosphere, dark and scary passages lead the way to crocodiles, alligators and many other reptiles – You will find more than 800 animals and birds living in as much freedom as possible in a natural environment.

photo credit: pbb

The park has many kilometres of good paths throughout, to enable visitors the possibility to roam for hours. Kristiansand Zoo is working very closely with the World Wild-life Foundation to help save animals under threat of extinction. It offers you the opportunity to see the Nordic wolf, lynx and wolverine in their natural environment.

A trip to Cardamom Town (Kardemomme by) is recommended. The town is based on a well-known children’s story written by Thorbjørn Egner and you will meet all the Kardemomme by’s characters from the book in the park’s main season!

The park is full of surprises – not only will you find animals, but there is also a “Summer Island” (a bathing area), with heated swimming pools. Watch the Pirates battle it out from the Black Lady ship, while you enjoy an ice cream. It’s paradise for both young and old… The Living Park is a place to be remembered – a park to be revisited…

More info: Kristiansand zoo

Welcome to Kristiansand, the administrative, business and cultural capital of South Norway! Definitely a modern city with a pronounced renaissance profile. Right in the middle of what international media have named “the coolest riviera”.
After King Christian established the city in 1641, it gradually developed into the administrative centre of the region. The present population of 78.000 makes Kristiansand Norway’s fifth largest city.

Centrally located on the South coast of Norway, Kristiansand offers convenient domestic as well as international travel and transportation – by air, sea, rail and road.

In addition to a substantial service sector, local business spans from advanced process industry to leading suppliers of offshore technology. With a strong link to the Agder University College, Kristiansand has one of Norway’s most competent IT and telecommunications clusters.

Music plays a key role on the city’s cultural stage, with the Quart Festival and the International Church Music Festival as the most prominent annual events.

Images – Click to enlarge

Kristiansand – city full of energy

Kristiansand Municipality has made a brochure in English about Kristiansand. The purpose of the brochure is to present Kristiansand to the international business community and to potential jobseekers abroad.

Administrative centre with strong industrial traditions

photo credit: SandShoes

Many of Kristiansand’s around 36.000 work places are related to the city’s function as the regional centre and the county capital of Vest-Agder. Public and social services, along with education are the most employment sectors, with trading, hotels and restaurants as runners-up. Major banks and international management consultants make important contributions to the development of local enterprises.
Access to vast hydro-electrical resources in southwest Norway was important for the establishment of process industry in Kristiansand. Norwegian Elkem and Canadian Falconbridge were among the pioneers, and both companies remain key elements in the local industry.

Deeply rooted in a mechanical industry based on strong maritime traditions, creative engineers have developed companies such as Hydralift and Maritime Hydraulics into world leaders within advanced offshore oil and gas technology. Although recently acquired by international enterprises National Oilwell and Aker Kværner, the know-how built up in and around these corporations still play important roles in the business life of Kristiansand.

With strong ties to the advanced research and development faculty of the Agder University College, the region constitutes one of the country’s strongest clusters within information technology and telecommunications.

Internationally oriented University (UiA)

photo credit: Andreas Solberg

Agder University (UiA) has 8,000 students and 840 teaching and administrative staff. Thus it is one of the largest University in Norway. Study programmes include Business and Economics, Engineering and Technology, the Humanities, Mathematics, Nursing, Teacher Education, as well as Fine Arts.

There is heavy emphasis on international student exchanges through European and national co-operation programmes and bilateral agreements. Students are encouraged to continue their studies abroad. Either by taking an integrated part of their study programme with Socrates / Nordplus partners in Europe, with partners in the Unites States, Australia and Asia, or through post-graduate studies abroad.

Additional key university level educational institutions in Kristiansand offer studies within journalism (Mediehøgskolen) and business administration (BI Norwegian School of Management).

Effective city administration

Like other Norwegian municipalities, the city of Kristiansand is responsible for day care facilities, child welfare, and primary and lower secondary schools. In addition to public libraries, primary health care, financial support for welfare clients, care for the elderly and disabled. Its responsibilities also include the fire department, the harbour, municipal roads, water supply, sewerage, garbage collection and disposal, as well as organisation of land use.

photo credit: watz

To carry out these tasks the city of Kristiansand employs approximately 5,500 people – 4,200 man-years, mainly within the health and educational sectors.

The chief administrative officer (the rådmann) manages the city administration. In addition to his management responsibilities, the rådmann is also responsible for preparation of the budget and other matters to be approved by the city council.

The 2004 budget totals NOK 2.8 billion (EUR 326 million), which includes operations as well as investments.
Most Norwegian municipalities have a hard time balancing their budgets, and Kristiansand is no exception. However, through a continuous improvement process over a number of years politicians and the administration have achieved ambitious cost reduction goals.

In two benchmarking studies for good municipal governance, Kristiansand made considerable progress from 1999 to 2002. The studies were conducted according to an adapted version of the Bertelsmann criteria. This method portrays the municipality as a service provider (ideally) under democratic control, its learning capacity, and includes an evaluation of the municipality as a workplace.

Kristiansand achieved its best scores in the field of co-operation between politics and administration. However, results are almost equally good with regard to democratic control, decentralisation and delegation, controlling and reporting, innovation policy, as well as citizen and customer orientation.

The studies were carried out in co-operation with Kristiansand’s Nordic twin towns: Kerava (Finland) Trollhättan (Sweden), Hjørring (Denmark) and Rekjanesbær (Iceland).

Busy cultural scene

The downtown area of Kristiansand is an interesting place to spend an evening out. A number of art galleries and the impressive regional museum Sørlandets Kunstmuseum present varied contemporary art. The Night Gallery presents experimental open-air video art. Students and intellectuals give life to numerous cafés and pubs that cater to most international tastes.

photo credit: Earphones

Regional institutions such as the Agder Teater, Kristiansand Symfoniforkester as well as the Sørlandet kunstmuseum are all based in Kristiansand. The city’s own cultural activities include a public library, a natural museum and a botanical garden, cinemas, as well as activity centres for children and youngsters. The Quart Festival and the International Church Music Festival are among the most reknown musical events.
Kristiansand recently established a cultural foundation – Cultiva – with a considerable capital (NOK 1.4 billion). The purpose is to secure creativity and innovation in local art, culture and knowledge institutions activities. This effort may well contribute to developing Kristiansand into one of the leading cultural cities in Norway.

Communication and travel

Because of short ferry crossings and frequent sailings to neighbouring countries, Kristiansand is frequently referred to as Norway’s “Gateway to Europe”. Color Line will get you there from Hirtshals, Denmark, in only five hours (3 ½ in the summer). DFDS ensures good connections from Newcastle (UK) and Gothenburg (Sweden) throughout the year.

Kristiansand International Airport offers frequent shuttle flights to Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen. International connections are maintained through several daily direct flights to Copenhagen.

The south-western branch of the national railroad system runs through the city, linking passenger and freight trains with the west coast (Stavanger) as well as the rest of the country via Oslo.

Departing from Kristiansand, a number of scenic local roads let travellers follow the curving coast-line, with inviting detours to scenic towns, beaches and campsites.

In addition the national road system provides fast transportation in three main directions: by the coastal route E39 to Stavanger and Bergen, the inland route (N39) via the scenic Setesdal valley to the Fjord country, and the E18 to Oslo and Stockholm.

Regional information

Kristiansand is the county capital of Vest-Agder, which together with Aust-Agder – its neighbouring county to the east – constitute the Agder or Sorlandet region. The total Agder population is around 250,000.
Historically regional trade and industry developed around the exportation of timber to neighbouring North Sea countries. The wood resources also gave birth to fast growing ship building and shipping industries. Thus local culture has been heavily influenced by shipping and other activities related to the sea, including fishing. Presently the varied and green coastline, with its charming old out-ports is an important element in numerous recreational activities.

The sheltered coastline with scenic fishing villages and vast uninhabited areas is one of the region’s most valuable assets and provides unforgettable experiences.
A short inland drive by car brings visitors to the scenic Setesdal valley with some of the oldest preserved rural wooden settlements in Norway. The northern part of the valley offers excellent winter sports facilities.

Tourism – catering to most tastes

Due to its favourable climate and location by the sea and a number of family oriented activities, Kristiansand and the immediate surroundings is a favourite summer recreational area to most Norwegians. An increasing number of foreign visitors share this fascination for the region.

photo credit: Andreas Solberg

Even within the city limits you will find one of the most attractive coastal sceneries in northern Europe. This sheltered area is the playground of a large fleet of pleasure crafts – many on their way to secluded beaches or abundant fishing grounds.

Salmon fishing is open to the public in the Otra, a well-known salmon river that literally runs through the city. The city offers a number of restaurants and bars in all categories with opening hours allowing guests to fully profit from the light summer evenings.

photo credit: pbb

Open-air restaurants on the seafront offer fresh seafood, as well as venison and other game from neighbouring districts. Only ten minutes on foot from the busy city centre, countless paths allow you to disappear in the tranquillity of the woods – a much sought after retreat appreciated by locals as well as visitors. With its one-storey ancient wooden houses – all painted in a bright white colour, Kristiansand is regarded as one of Europe’s best preserved Renaissance cities. Cobblestone streets give the old town the appearance of a living museum – just a few blocks from the busy commercial part of the city.

Agder Naturmuseum and Botanical Garden offers a number of rare plants, while the impressive open-air museum at the Vest-Agder Fylkesmuseum shows early building fashions as well as insight into the daily lives of our ancestors. Built around the works of painter/sculptor Kjell Nupen, is an impressive theme park with water as a central element. Nearby is the historic fortress Christiansholm, built to protect the city from its enemies.

The Ravnedalen is a beautiful natural park to the north east of the centre.

Kristiansand Dyre- og fritidspark (Zoo and activity park) is the favourite of all families visiting the region. This intersting park offers Nordic and other animals in a natural setting, in addition to commercial attractions.

The city’s commercial activities are centered on Markensgate, which is a pedestrian street. The Markensgate offers a number of informal cafés, and is the number one meeting place for the locals. The Sørlandsparken commercial centre is located 5 kilometers to the east, hosting a large shopping mall, specialised retailers, and other businesses.

Facts and figures

• Population: 78,000
• Education: 25 per cent have university and/or college degrees
• Home ownership: 43 per cent live in privately owned houses

Area

• Total 277 km sq
• Populated 36 km sq
• Agricultural 10 km sq
• Productive forests 150 km sq
• Lakes 15 km sq
• Inhabitants per km sq 258

During the summer season, there are daily guided tours across the glacier between the Norwegian Mountain Hiking Association cabins of Fonnabu and Holmaskjær. It is also possible to take blue ice tours on some of the offshoots of the glacier.

Image Gallery

More information at the Tourist Information Office or www.folgefonni-breforarlag.no

photo credit: Henke.

photo credit: bananeman

photo credit: bananeman

Karmsundet sound to the east, the old King’s Road and the thoroughfare to the north, where seafarers for centuries sought and found a safe fairway and a secure harbour. It is this fairway, “Nordvegen” that has given our country its name. Avaldsnes is Rogaland County’s millennium site, and this is also the site of the beautiful Olavskirken. Next to the church is the new Nordvegen Historiesenter where we meet the king who gathered Norway into one kingdom and who made Avaldsnes Norway’s first royal seat. On Bukkøy nearAvaldsnes, we can find a reconstructed Viking farm.

Images from Karmøy

Avaldsnes

Avaldsnes – Norway’s first king’s seat – was chosen as Rogaland County’s millennium site. Harold the Fair-Haired located his main farm at Avaldsnes in about 870 and the site was a king’s farm up until about 1450. At present the Olavskirken in Avaldsnes, which was constructed by Håkon Håkonsen around 1250, is the most important monument to Avaldsnes’s time of glory. The historical landscape at Avaldsnes tells a story about the Norwegian kings and the legendary characters that are described in myths and lays. The
noblemen that controlled the old “Nordwegen” have left powerful traces: Impressive burial mounds, high stone monuments and abundant findings. Next to the medieval church a new history centre has been built and east of the church is a reconstructed Viking farm which you can visit in the summer.

Nordevegen History Centre

is located in an area that is important to national history. In consideration of the medieval church and the historical landscape, most of the building is placed underground. From the Karmsundet, the glass and concrete façade is visible. From the church plateau only the round entrance part is visible. The centre
measures some 1800 sqm divided between two floors. On the first floor lies Kongshallen, where Harold the Fair-haired is placed at the high end of the table, looking across the Nordvegen. Here we can hear how Harold made Avaldsnes Norway’s eldest royal seat at around the year 870. From Avaldsnes Harold
ruled his kingdom. From here he controlled the shipping along the Nordvegen and the trade with Europe, here he died and here next to the Karmsundet he was buried around 930. In the History Centre Harold acts as our historical guide through the ages. On the ground floor we meet Harold the Fairhaired in a movie theatre where he gives us his version of history. He presents us with some of the chieftains who governed
Nordvegen from Avaldsnes. Some of them we know from archaeology, others from the heroic sagas, and the sagas of the kings and from lays. Harold will also lead us to the magic world that people once believed to be real. here we’ll meet sorcerers, female warriors, personified natural forces and Norse gods. Harold founded a dynasty and was king of all kings! All kings after him had to prove their bloodline to Harold before they were allowed to ascend the throne. Harold and his successors reigned at Avdalsnes for 500 years. Eirik Blood
Axe, Håkon the Good, Olav Tryggvason, St Olav and Håkon Håkonson are but a few names linked to the saga landscape at Avaldsnes.

Skudeneshavn

photo credit: Bertr@nd

At the southernmost tip of Karmøy, with its lighthouses facing the Skudefjorden fjord and the North Sea lies the charming sailing vessel town of Skudeneshavn. Its history goes back to the 1800s when the herring fisheries created a hectic activity in the town and when what we today refer to as the old part of town was built. Virtually all the 130 houses and sea houses have been preserved and can be enjoyed to this day. It could be said that the Mælandsgården Museum presents the town’s history in a nutshell. Today Skudeneshavn is one of the best preserved of all our small towns. It won second prize in NORTA’s competition for Norway’s Best Preserved Small Town in 1990. In 2004, Skudeneshavn was elected Norway’s Summer Town. The visitor’s harbour in the centre of town is an attractive site indeed and a short walk
brings you to countless quaint, attractive boutiques. Care for a round of golf? Just outside of the town limits you can enjoy a beautiful 18-hole course. Children will enjoy the outdoor park near the Skudeneshavn School.

Museums

Åkrehamn Coastal Museum

Located on the harbour front, and completely renovated in 2006, this museum has become a definite
“must-see”. It houses photographs and objects from Karmøy from days gone by and tells of this region’s
history as an important fishing community. This museum also richly depicts the contact enjoyed between
West Karmøy and North America. The Nora Sjøhuset boasts to being one of the few herring salteries in
Norway still in existence. Open during the summer season, otherwise by appointment.

N-4270 Åkrehamn
Tel.: +47 98 64 35 23

Vigsnes Mining Museum

Do not forget to visit the Vigsnes copper mines – one of the finest mining regions in Norway. In the
Vigsnes Mining Museum, you will find the history of the rather special mining community that was one of
Norway’s largest copper mines and had 3,000 inhabitants in the 1800s! Take a stroll in the elegant
garden of managing director Charles de France – Fransehagen – and see the remnants of the smelting
hut by the sea. Children are happy too – the playground is very popular! Open in the summer season,
otherwise by appointment. Please contact Karmøy Kulturopplevelser AS.

Tel.: +47 52 83 84 00 / 95 10 36 12.
Fax: +47 52 83 84 01.
E-mail: post@vikinggarden.no www.vikinggarden.no

Karmøy Lyngsenter

This heather centre is located in Visnes and tells the story of how heather has been used throughout
the ages and how important it was to people. Heather garden and boutique with various heather
plants. The centre is open during the summer season and otherwise by appointment. Contact Karmøy
Kulturopplevelser AS.

Tel.: +47 52 83 84 00 / 95 10 36 12.
Fax: +47 52 83 84 01.
E-mail: post@vikinggarden.no www.vikinggarden.no

Mælandsgården townhouse

A richly equipped town museum showing life in a merchant’s home, general store, shipping, old workshops,
etc. The museum also tells the history of Skudeneshavn through the ages. A town model shows what old Skudeneshavn looked like in the 1900s. The film “Skipper Worse” was shot at the museum
and in the Old Skudeneshavn milieu. Open during the summer season, otherwise by appointment.

N-4280 Skudeneshavn.
Tel. +47 52 84 54 60.
Fax: +47 52 84 54 69.
E-mail: s-histo@online.no http://www.skudenes.no/museum/

Old Skudeneshavn

Especially well-known for its old perfectly-preserved wood buildings dating back to the 1800s, Old Skudeneshavn also offers its visitors museums, art galleries and cafés. Most of the houses in Skudeneshavn
were built in the style of the Late Empire and in all, 130 preserved houses from the 1800s lie nestled
in the narrow bay of Søragda. One seldom sees a town atmosphere that is so defined by its old building
culture and there are very few places where the old city buildings are so well-preserved as in Skudeneshavn.
Why not go on a guided tour through the town?

Tel.: +47 52 84 54 60
Fax: +47 52 84 54 69
E-mail: s-histo@online.no http://www.skudenes.no/museum/

Karmøy Fishery Museum

Exhibits that illustrate developments in the fishery business from the time when the steam engine arrived
and up to the present. The building has a very special form and is definitely worth seeing. It is designed by the Snøhetta firm of architects. Apart from the exhibitions, the museum also contains a saltwater aquarium
and a café. Open during the summer season, otherwise by appointment.

N-4276 Vedavågen
Tel.: +47 52 81 74 55
Telefon 52 81 74 55
www.museumsnett.no/karmoyfiskerimuseum

Sandy Beaches

photo credit: randihausken

On a hot summer’s day there is nothing like visiting one of our local “southern European beaches”. Sandvesanden by Skudeneshavn and Åkrasanden further to the west offer white sandy beaches and clean, clear water. Åkrasanden is a fantastic experience on hot summer days, but also offers speed and excitement on a stormy day when the waves are pounding against the shore. Åkrasanden is a first class beach for both children and adults, and it is possible to take part in activities like board surfing and sand volleyball. There is a kiosk and lifeguards on duty during fine summer days from May to September. Åkrasanden has a reputation for being Norway’s best board surfing beach. The beach is also an important hatching area for several rare species of sea birds, and there are several rare plants and flowers in the sand dunes around the sandy beaches. The municipality has made a culture and nature trail along the shoreline from Åkrehamn to
Ferkingstad.

Festivals

The Viking Festival

The Viking Festival is held at Karmøy, the homeland of the Vikings. On historical grounds you can take part in Viking feasts, study the day-to-day life of Vikings, visit the Viking market, join in an historic walk and
participate in a Viking procession along with visitors from Norway and other countries. On Saturday, you may attend a Saga Evening in Avaldsnes, at the Viking farm. Here you can listen to exciting sagas, take part in various competitions and enjoy the drama, dance and food. The historic seminar related to the festival attracts professionals from Norway and abroad. The Viking Festival is arranged every year in early June.

Vikingfestivalen, Rådhuset, N-4250 Kopervik.
Tel.: +47 52 85 75 00, Fax: +47 52 85 73 60.
http://www.vikingfestivalen.no

The Skude Festival (Skudefestivalen)

Western Norway’s most important coast culture gathering – wooden boats, vintage boats, pleasure boats, small boats, sailing vessels. There is teeming life around the market stalls at the marketplace in the town
centre; craftsmen demonstrate old work methods related to the sea and boating life. Søragadå, the main street in the old town, has a number of art exhibits. Local and international entertainment day and night. Skudefestivalen is always held during the first weekend of July (Wednesday – Sunday).

Skudefestivalen, P.O. Box 83,
N-4297 Skudeneshavn.
Tel./fax: +47 52 82 87 37.
Mob.: +47 90 01 42 80.
http://www.skudefestivalen.no

Fishery Days in Åkrehamn

The Fishery Days in Åkrehamn are slowly becoming a tradition just as the Viking and Skude Festivals. The organisers are gradually increasing their focus on fishery-oriented activities. Local industry and commerce are represented and sell their wares in the many stalls in the harbour area. There is also a fair where children and young people enjoy themselves and an outdoor dance for the adults on Saturday night. On Sunday there is an open-air church service.

Contact Fiskeridagene, N-4296 Åkrehamn.
Tel./fax: +47 52 81 81 37.
www.fiskeridagene.no

The Olav Days (Olavsdagene)

There is an annual Olsok event at the historical Avaldsnes, where the old Olavskirken church is the main arena for the day. The event offers various concerts, seminars, pilgrim wandering and an Olsok service. For
more information, contact Avaldsnes Parish.

Tel.: +47 52 84 21 55.

Gospel Festival

This annual Gospel Festival at Karmøy is an event that caters to young and old. The festival is held in Åkrehamn with a separate day for the youngest (small) and special days for young people and adults (large). Concerts are held in Åkrahallen and Åkra Church. The gospel festival offers with seminars and concerts,
while maintaining the focus on gospel music.

Organisers: Karmøy Gospelfestival.
Tel.: +47 52 83 27 45
Website: http://www.gospel.as

Lots to see

By taking a relaxing walk in Karmøy, there is a lot you can discover and experience. Here are but a few.

The Five Foolish Virgins, Norheim Five single-stone monuments located under the Karmsund Bridge. It is thought that these stones once served as a primitive calendar.

St Olav’s Church and The Virgin Marie’s Sewing Needle An historic church and Norway’s tallest single-stone monument.

Old Skudeneshavn
An arena for historical buildings and culture. Guided tours available.
Information and registration at the museum in Mælandsgården:
Tel.: +47 52 84 54 60
Fax: + 47 52 84 54 69

Kopervik
Kopervik offers a charming mix of old and new settlements.

Rehaugane, Avaldsnes
Six large, ancient burial mounds dating from the Bronze Age.

Nedre Hauge, Utvik and Grønhaug, Avdalsnes
Ancient relics and monuments.

Fransehagen, Visnes
Open air spaces and museum. Park.

Old Boat houses at Hop, Ferkingstad
Based on the large boat houses on King Ferking’s estate during the Iron Age. Information boards located on site.

Ting stones at Åkra
There are three single-stone monuments now located at the cultural centre in Åkrehamn. Originally these monuments stood at the old Åkra farm where they marked the Ting (place of assembly, parliament).

Fisherman’s memorial,Ferkingstad
A memorial to the fishermen who lost their lives at sea along the east and west coasts of the USA. Glockenspiel.

Boating – lighthouses – fishing

For many, boating is synonymous with summer holidays, and there are many opportunities for staying by the jetty. The harbours on the west side of the island offer relaxation and anchoring sites. On the north-west side lies Feøy, a little island kingdom with bays and coves, narrow sounds and fine anchoring places. Karmsundet is made for boating. Stop at Prestøyene in Avaldsnes – ideal for a coffee break. Then sail
your boat in towards Røyksund and continue along Fosnaneset under the bridge and into the Førdesfjorden. At Fosen and Høvring you feel like you have the world to yourself, the way you only can experience in a boat.
Even if you are not a boat owner, you can still experience these idyllic places.

Feøy with its 70 regular inhabitants, and guaranteed to have no cars, has a daily boat service from Haugesund. With the ever-increasing nautical traffic in the 16 and 1700s, private business owners found it good business to build lighthouses along the coast. These lighthouses in turn made it possible to tax all ships in the boating lanes. Some of these lighthouses have now been restored and are available for overnight stays. The quaint Vikholmen lighthouse built in 1849 marks the entrance to Skudnes Harbour. This lighthouse is available for rental from the Norwegian Seamen’s Mission at Skudeneshavn. The Geitungen lighthouse, appropriately named, is majestically located atop Søre Geitungen offSkudeneshavn. It was built in 1924 and has been declared a protected building. For overnight accommodations, please contact the Haugesund Tourist Centre.

Surrounded by the sea, Karmøy offers great opportunities for fishing. Set out on the wide ocean with a spinner or a rod, or try your luck from the bare rock faces! One day of deep-sea fishing is an unforgettable
experience. Take a fishing trip on a fishing smack or a cutter – you will not return empty-handed! If the open sea becomes too rough, take a trip to the many freshwater lakes on Karmøy – where trout, eel and
pike are waiting. There are guest harbours in Skudeneshavn and in Kopervik.

Åkrehamn

To the west, on the edge of the North Sea, lies Åkrehamn. Since prehistoric times, people have being living by the beautiful sandy beaches and bare rock-faces on the western side of Karmøy. Åkrehamn was created by fishermen, farmers and sailors over several generations. Today Åkrehamn is a modern, built-up area with 6,500 inhabitants, and offers various shops and services.

The name Åkrehamn is compiled by Åker (field) and hamn (harbour), but nowadays most of the fields are covered with shops, service buildings and homes. The old Åkra municipality was in its time the largest
fishing municipality in the country and in fact an active fishing community still exists here. From the old harbour area with its idyllic little wooden houses, fishing boats still leave for the fishing banks every morning.

The fishermen bring their catch to the harbour later in the day, and on most days fresh fish, shrimps and crabs can be bought in the harbour. Fishery days are celebrated every year ay the beginning of August.
Come and enjoy fishing activities and entertainment for the young and old at heart!

Kopervik

Kopervik is the municipal administration centre of Karmøy. Already in the early 1800s, there were “buildings
along the bay”. One is still able to find traces of the old buildings of that era – well preserved old wooden
houses. Earlier, Kopervik was known for its canning factories. The factories were often owned by Stavanger companies and nearly all trade was with Stavanger. The building estates surrounding Kopervik were mainly built after the aluminium smelter Karmøy Fabrikker, Norsk Hydro, arrived in 1965. Kopervik is now the junction for scheduled boats headed north and south, carrying passengers and goods.

The Icelandic historian Tormod Torfæus spent most of his adult life at Stangeland in Kopervik. He is best known for his historic work “Historia rerum Norvegicanes”, the history of the Norwegian people from prehistoric times to the present, which he wrote in the 1600s.

The Vikings

THE PERIOD OF THE VIKINGS SPANNED FROM 800 TO 1050 AD. The term “Viking” applied to people from
Scandinavia who travelled abroad to trade, plunder or wage war. The Vikings were blessed with good boats and were skilled sailors. Some Vikings elected to settle in foreign countries, but most returned home bringing with them the goods that they has traded or plundered. They instilled fear and terror in the hearts of everyone when they attacked from the sea. They murdered, stole, plundered and burned. Sometimes they
even took slaves. However, they also acquired great wealth for their country.

Harold the Fair-Haired turned Avaldsnes on Karmøy into the oldest royal seat in Norway. Around 870, after the victory at Hafrsfjord he turned Norway into one kingdom. From Avaldsnes he reigned over his kingdom and controlled the shipping lanes along Nordvegen and, and the trade with Europe.

Many other well-known individuals have spent time at Avaldsnes, and these included King Augvald and St. Olav. Avaldsnes still has countless traces pointing to the Vikings ages.

Vikinggården

THE VIKINGGARDEN MUSEUM IS LOCATED ON A SMALL, WOODCOVERED ISLAND directly below the
medieval church at Avdalsnes, in the vicinity of Skrattaskjær where Olav Tryggvason was reported to have drowned a group of sorcerers more than one thousand years ago. This museum will provide the visitor with knowledge about how our Norwegian ancestors used to build houses, which materials and tools they used
and how they exploited the natural resources available. The museum attempts to present us with a more nuanced picture of what the Vikings were like, that is to say not all of them were pirates and murderers. Vikings were in fact mostly farmers and fishermen as well as craftsmen and tradesmen. They were poets
and inventors. In the museum courtyard you will find a traditional longhouse as well as smaller dwellings, a Viking boat and plants and animals. There are nature trails available outside in the forest for those who want some peace and quiet. The museum is open to visitors in the summertime. During the other seasons it is open for guided visits and organised events. The light from the hearth and the oil lamps will certainly transport you 1000 years back. The building itself is a part of an experimental archaeological research programme where the aim is to acquire more knowledge about prehistoric building techniques.

Communication

Transport to and from Karmøy is simple. The island has good domestic and international connections by air, bus, speedboat service and ferries. Ferries travel from Skudeneshavn to Stavanger several times a day, all year round. The airport, Haugesund Lufthavn, Karmøy, has several flights daily to Oslo, Sandefjord and Bergen. If you are going abroad, Rayanair has daily flights to London. Once a week there is a chartered flight to more southerly destinations.

There are several weekly departures from Haugesund by car ferry to Hanstholm in Denmark and Newcastle in England. A speedboat leaves both Kopervik and Haugesund for Stavanger and Bergen several times a day.
There are buses daily from Haugesund to Bergen, Stavanger and Oslo.

Open all year round

Avdalsnes Tourist Information Centre

Nordvegen Historiesenter
N-4262 Avaldsnes
Tel.: +47 52 81 14 88
Fax: +47 52 83 8401
e-mail: post@vikinggarden.no

Kopervik Tourist Information Centre

Rådhuset, N-4250 Kopervik
Tel.: +47 52 85 75 00
Fax: +47 52 85 73 60
e-mail: turistinfo@online.no

Oasen Tourist Information Centre

Oasen Storsenter, N-5508 Karmsund
Tel.: +47 52 83 10 89
Fax: +47 52 83 05 06
e-mail: post@oasen.no

History

Painting by I. C. Dahl, 1820Before this church there was a wooden church on the same place. That church is assumed to have been built by Olav Trygvason, and it is possible that the present stone church is built around this church originally.

This church has been a landmark for the seafarers passing through the strait of Karmsund for 750 years. King Håkon IV Håkonsson gave permission to build a church around the year 1250. It was not completed until nearly 1320, and was then the fourth largest in the country. The church was dedicated to St. Olav and received the status of ”Royal Chapel”. During the same period it became one of four ”college-churches” ( it appointed a council of theological and juridical scholars). Probably there was a group of four scholars, and it could be there was an octagonal house of stone in close proximity to the quire. This is assumed to have been mentioned by Peder Clausen Friis in 1599. Remaining walls were visible as late as 1840, but are now completely gone. «Kapittelhus» are common for english cathedrals.

photo credit: -Kj.

The history of the church depicts a fine cross-section of Norway`s history. Being one of the largest churches along the coast of Norway, it is certainly to have been visited by many travelers on their pilgrimage to St. Olav`s shrine in Trondheim.

The decay started with the Black Death in 1349-1351. This disaster was followed by 400 years of Danish supremacy. In this period, the church gradually fell into a state of ruin due to lack of repair. In the 17th century a little wooden church was built inside the stone walls. This one was used for more than 200 years.

The first restoration work began in 1830. The old steeple was demolished, the nave was rebuilt, and a small wooden steeple was erected on the top.

In the 1920’s the church was once again restored in a manner which was more similar to its original architecture. A new stone steeple was built and the interior renewed.

The German occupation in World War II became dramatic for the church. The Germans asserted that the high steeple was used as a landmark for allied planes, coming in over the strait of Karmsund to drop bombs in the water. German authorities demanded the steeple to be demolished. Many people were engaged in the task of saving it, and they persuaded the Germans to let them camouflage the whole church with timber! This was to be done in 5 weeks, but the whole job lasted a year.

photo credit: Frans & all

The 700th anniversary of the church in 1950 was a big event for the community, with concerts and a historical outdoor play which pictured the Viking history of the place.

The stained glass windows were ordered for the anniversary. They were made by Bernhard Greve, a Norwegian painter, and present the most important events in the life of Christ : Baptism, passion, ascension and resurrection.

Design and architecture

The pointed arches, but thick walls and no pillars, suggest an early Gothic design. The walls are composed of ordinary gray stone in thickness about 1.2–2.0 meters. The corners and frames around the doors and windows are of steatite (soapstone) from ”Tolgetjønn” near Haugesund.

The sewing needle of Virgin Mary

photo credit: Skygge

The sewing needle of Virgin Mary (Norwegian:Jomfru Marias synål) is the only one remaining of several monumental stones which once stood around the church area. The stone has been somewhat taller, but, towering at 7.2 meters it is still the next largest of its kind in Norway. The stone leans in towards the church wall—the distance to the wall is in fact only 9.2 cm. A saga tells that “the day of Judgement will come when the stone comes into contact with the church wall”. A popular story tells us about the minister in the old ages climbing up the monument and cutting off a piece from the stone when it came dangerously near the church wall!