History Arkiver

Torås Fort

Historical guided tours for groups
Guided tours with knowledgeable guides are held in connection with events and when the museum is open during the summer. The tour takes about 2 hours. Suitable for groups of minimum10 and up to 50 people. This history lesson costs NOK 200, – per person. Children below 12 years for free.

Tours for groups can also be booked on request.

Torås Fort! World history in Færder municipality. Vestfold's largest intact war memories from World War II!

It has been military operations in the area from the Viking Age until 1999.

The fort as it appears today was begun by the Norwegian authorities in 1938 and completed by the Germans in November 1941.

After the war, the fort entered the coastal artillery again. During the Cold War exciting and secret things happened on the fort when a group partly funded by the CIA moved in. The name of this group was "Stay behind" and used Torås as the educational center for secret agents. In 1999, the fort was closed down and the tunnels were sealed by bricks.

In 2008, there was established a interest-group for Toras fort, with the purpose of preserving the fort. In recent years, the group has opened 5 of the 12 tunnels that were bricked again and in one of the tunnels, a military-historical exhibition opened in this tunnel. The museum is open every Sunday in June and July.

In 2018, the group bought the bow of the historic ship "Pol 3" and will establish a national memorial on Torås with the bow as the centerpiece. Artistic responsible for the project is Vebjørn Sand.

During 2019, the group got access to more buildings in the lower camp, and in the next few years filled these with historically interested groups, including Historical military vehicles. In this way, the interest group created a national cultural-historical center at Torås, where the public can experience living history all year round.

Throughout the year there are several events at Torås fort.

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.

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.