Historical monument Arkiver

Gea Norvegica UNESCO Global Geopark

In the season from May to September, there are free guided tours in the Geopark. The geopark is a limited area of 3.000 square kilometer and is in Telemark and Vestfold county, and includes the municipalities of Larvik, Bamble, Kragerø, Nome, Porsgrunn, Siljan and Skien.

At various geo-locations you can discover for yourself, and gain an increased understanding of, the dramatic events that have helped to shape the landscape.

The landscape in Larvik is characterized by the rugged landscape that a bedrock of larvikite often provides. Along the coast, the larvikite has been scoured by the ice that lay over the land during the last ice age. The result is the fine rocky cliffs that dominate the Vestfold coast.

Larvikite can only be found naturally in the Larvik area, and when you see this popular ornamental stone, cut and polished, with its beautiful play of blue colors on everything from wall facades on large buildings to worktops in kitchens and bar counters, you know it comes from Larvik. Larvikite is valued and in demand far beyond Norway's borders.

Herregården

The building was built in 1674 and was finished in 1677 just in time for Gyldenløve’s third wedding. “Herregården” stands as an example of continental 17th century baroque architecture in Norway, the building was also influenced by Norwegian building traditions. The building was protected in 1923, and it’s now a part of Larvik Museums.

In the east wing there’s a café that sells coffee and pancakes. And on the first floor there is remains of an old classroom as it once were used as a school.

The museum is closed during the summer 2025 due to renovation.

The museum is open every day in summer season from the mid og June to the mid of August. With fun activities for families and a chance to experience the counts life. While walking around the building a guide will tell you all the stories of the counts.

Except the summer season, Herregården is open to the public by appointment. Events take place throughout the year, but only on special occasions in the winter.

See also Verksgården and the maritime museum.
You can visit all three museums on the same ticket.

The Nesjar Monument

The monument was unveiled on St Olaf Day, 29th of July 2016.

The battle of Nesjar is looked upon as one of the most crucial sea battles in Norwegian history. Approximately 5000 men and 75 ships participated in the battle. Olav Haraldsson (Olaf the holy) won the battle against some of the most powerful chiefs of Svein Jarl. With this he ruled Norway, as the first king since Harald Fairhair. This laid the foundation for a structured state in Norway and the introduction of Christianity.

The battle of Nesjar is the first precise dated event in Norwegian history. Found in written sources such as "Heimskringla", "Fagerskinna", "Den legendariske Olavs-saga", "Flatøybok" and kvadet "Nesjarvisur" of Sigvat Skald. The battle of Nesjar was most likely located outside Værvågen/ ”behind” Mølen in Brunlanes.

Midtåsen

It was the home of Anders and Bess Jahre until his death in 1982, and Bess continued to live there until her death in the summer of 2006. The estate, which has a unique sculpturespark and fantastic views over Sandefjord, is open to the general public.

Sculpture park:
A sculpture park of Knut Steen is open all year (free entrance).

Guided tours of the villa:
There are guided tours of the villa one or twice a month (in Norwegian) during the summer season. Guided tours for groups on other days is possible. Contact person for booking and price is Morten Christensen, mobile +47 917 28 243.

Free parking happens on the left before the gate at the top of the villa.

Hall of Rememberence

Tourists can visit the Memorial Hall all summer long.

The memomial is pyramid-formed, erected in commemoration of all Norwegian sailors in the fishing fleet and the merchant navy who lost their lives in naval service for Norway during World War I and World War II.

Minnehallen – the name in Norwegian – is meant to resemble a beacon, and is built of blocks of granite from a nearby rock. It was opened by HM King Haakon 7. in 1926 after two years of construction.

About 15.000 people visit the memorial from May to September every year. They find a 32-metre wide frieze inside the main hall that depicts different epoques from the dramatic lives of sailors.
In front of the sarcophagus wrapped in the Norwegian flag you find the famous sculpture "Abyss", and in the crypt 7562 sailors' names are carved on copper plates.

The altar in the main hall is engraved with a commemorative poem to the sailors, written by Norwegian poet Henrik Wildenvey.

The Kjærra Waterfalls Park

The Kjærra Waterfalls Park is situated in one of the most spectacular sceneries of Lågendalen you find the Kjærra Waterfalls Park. The Park, covering both sides of the river Lågen, derives its name from the famous Kjærra Waterfalls. Here, the river splits into two separate courses: The Eastern Falls and The Western Falls. The waterfall park is famous for its salmon and the historical fishing methods used are well documented.

In the waterpark you have the opportunity to go for a nice hike, admire the birds singing, go fishing or just find peace in the beauty of Kjærra Waterfalls Park. The park offers benches to sit and eat your lunch, as well as bonfires around the area.

The industry of fishing at Kjærra waterfalls park can be documented all the way back to the 1300, and lasted towards the end of 1958. After a while the plant was restored and opened for tourism in 1992. This brought tourists from all over the country to experience the Kjærra waterfalls, salmon fishing and summer concerts. It is also quite popular to visit Kjærra with kayaks.

The salmon trap is opened every Thursday during the season. There's usually a lot of fish and if you're lucky you get to buy a wild salmon on the spot. The fishing season for salmon is 10.06 – 26.08. Fishing license is bought online.

The Kjærra-bridge extend over Lågen with its 132 meters. The bridge is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by the outstanding natural beauty of the forest, waterfalls and leaping salmon. This project started in the fall of 2000 and was opened by county governor Mona Røkke July 5th, 2001.

The exhibitions around the park makes it interesting and creates a unique experience when walking around. In the park you will find 5 different spots that displays 5 photographs of Kjærra waterfalls park during winter time. The placement of the pictures is aligned so that the photographs shows the same landscape as behind the photographs. The photographer is Kjell Harangen. When walking around the park you’ll also find sculptures within the nature, by the artist Trond Fredriksen.

The Anagama kiln is both an art piece and a ceramic oven. The oven is inspired originally from Japan and it can hold up to 500 figures. This project is a cooperation between Stiftelsen Kjærra Fossepark, sculptor Trond Frederiksen, ceramist Ole Krongaard and the college of Telemark.

Toilets and drinking water are available on site for the visitors. If your looking for more excitement, speed and climbing its perfect to combine it with Høyt og Lavt Climbing Park.

Bronze age carvings at Haugen

The carvings date from the bronze age 1500-500 BC. Bronze age farmers have carved different symbols on an east-facing flat mountain. There is a ship spiral figuration and other bowl shape figures at the site.

To go to Haugen by car from Larvik you need to follow the signs from classified road 303 at Løve towards Istrehagan. This is around 2 km north of Larvik in direction Sandefjord.

The Beech Forest – Bøkeskogen

The Beech Tree Forest is used all year round for cultural and recreational activities by locals and tourists alike.

In mid-May you'll find joy in the light green petals from the beech trees while strolling along the 270-meter-long Passion Path, and eventually you'll end up at the square close to the main entrance. If you come here at Constitution Day, May 17th, you will see lots of happy children parading waving their Norwegian flags. In autumn the forest turns to red and yellow, and during winter the trees are snow-covered.

You also find the charming cafe called Bøkekroa where you can enjoy live jazz every single Friday during summer. Bøkekroa is open all year and serves traditionally Norwegian food.

For the historian, there are 80-90 registered burial mounds. You will find the largest Iron Age burial ground in Vestfold and one of the largest in Norway at this site.

The highest point in the Beech Tree Forest is called "The Bellevue". It is situated in the north-western part of the area. This place gives you an excellent view of the Farris lake, and some good rest for your legs.

The Beech Tree Forest stretches inwards along the Farris lake, and as you walk you will find small, cosy cabins and unspoilt places where you can enjoy the views and eat your lunch in the great outdoors.

The Viking Ship Saga Oseberg

Experience the Oseberg ship
The Oseberg Viking Inhertiance Foundation has built an exact copy of this ship on a voluntary basis. In the construction process only tools and construction methods identical to what was used during the construction of the original ship in the Viking era was applied.

You can visit the copy of the Oseberg ship at the harbor in Tønsberg.

A copy of the beautiful carved bow can also be seen at The Slottsfjell Museum.

The Klåstadship
The foundation Oseberg Vikingarv has also built a copy of another famous Viking discovery – The Klåstad ship. The original ship is located at The Slottsfjell Museum. A third ship named Saga Farmann was launched at the harbour of Tønsberg in September 2018.

In 2021, the construction of an archaeological replica of the Gokstad ship also started. The construction will take place both at Vikingodden in Tønsberg and by the Whaling Monument in Sandefjord. Here you have the opportunity to join and build ships with the Vikings' tools.

At the building site, called Vikingodden, The Foundation has a little shop where viking souvenirs and gift items are sold.

Borrehaugene

In the period from 600 to 900 AD, nine great mounds were constructed at Borre.

On site there are three huge piles of stone amongst the mounds, which contribute towards the monumental character of the place. Nowhere else in Northern Europe are there more large mounds in one single location. The great mounds are evidence of political power, expressed through monumental symbols. Borre was probably the ultimate place for leaders to manifest their honour, even after life. Previously it was thought that it was members of a particular family, The Ynglinge clan, who were buried here – but recent research based on DNA analysis indicates that such large burial sites tend to contain people from several families. It was likely the spot itself – as well as its connection to previous leaders – what made this place an attractive location to be buried at.

Large parts of the eastern slopes of the ridge between Åsgårdstand and Horten were agricultural areas at the time when the burial site was established. The mounds consist of lots of old cultivated soil – this as a result of the area being used to grow crops before the mounds were erected. The site is strategically located, by the entrance to the Oslo fjord. The location indicates that the purpose of building these mounds here was for them to be visible from the water.

Only one of the major mounds on the Borre site has been completely excavated, and this happened in 1852. From this excavation hail the marvellous Borre finds. Unfortunately, due to the inexpert excavation of the Ship mound in Borre, a lot of knowledge was lost in the process. The find is nevertheless considered to be in line with the ship graves from Tune and Gokstad.