Våge means “to dare”
The Dragon, however, was not chosen purely as protection for the children. In old Norse literature dragons are portrayed as much as obstacles to fight and overcome, as well as symbols of strength.
It is this duality that Stig Skjelvik found intriguing, and it is the same duality that makes it a valid symbol for any child about to dare a few steps out of the comfort zone. Whether the challenge at hand is overcoming personal obstacles or to prove, or expose, something to the outside world, the dragon is there to remind them that they can succeed. The name of the dragon, Våge, is the Norwegian verb that means to dare.
Medieval inspiration
The shape of Våge is as modern as a dragon can possibly get – but the texture of the beast is deeply rooted in norse tradition, inspired by the stave churches. The bulk of the stave churches of Norway was built between 1100 and 1350. The few that still remain leave spectators in awe of the mythological ornaments and their artful shapes – yet Stig Skjelvik found the roofs of the stave churches to be the most magnificent work of art, as they were a integrated part of the dragon head decorations. The entire body of Våge is therefore built in the exact same manner as the roof of a stave church.
The roof shingles of the stave churches are all shaped as, and overlap each other like, reptilian scales. To endure they were made of ore-pine.
Contemporary magic
Every dragon holds a bit of magic – and magic is what Stig Skjelvik has created underneath the dragons tactile, handcrafted armour. All hand painted with pine tar oil. At night the play in light reveals new patterns in the body and creates the illusion that the already dynamic figure, is in motion.
The project is an idea from Louis Jacoby in 2006. Larvik business community and Larvik municipality collaborated the project in 2006, with the vision of giving residents and visitors to Larvik greater vitality through Poesipark's dissemination.
Read more about the installations and where to find them here: Poesiparken.
Lystlunden Park is Horten municipality's largest park and sports facility. The park has a unique combination of enchanting nature and cultural attractions. The park's 150 hollow oak trees make it an exotic area. The many benches in the park to settle on, the park's duck pond were you can feed the ducks and its old pavilion makes the park a wonderful recreational area. Furthermore, you will find sculptures by Arne Durban and Ørnulf Bast here. Horten municipality has put a lot of effort into developing the park. You will also find new grills for general use – so just bring coal, food and blankets – and let the picnic start. In the evening you will be able to experience the park's special lighting.
Playground and adventure world
The park also has an exciting playground with old oak trees where the elves live. If you walk carefully and look around the trees, you may just discover them.
Multiple sports facilities
The sports center in Lystlunden Park has stadiums for football, rugby, archery range, and several training courses for football.
Gift from the Navy
Lystlunden was given as a gift to Horten's population by the Navy in 1852 for recreation and amusement. Most of the inhabitants of Horten were then part of the workers at the Navy's main yard (Karljohansvern).
Today, Lystlunden Park has its own association, which actively works to preserve the park's landscaping and distinctive features for the public's best interest.
An art project that, in close collaboration with nature, affects everyone who visits the trail to give the senses free space. The path STI FOR ØYE is almost two kilometers long, available all year round.
The light designer Erik Selmer makes sure that the trail, nature and art are lit in an exciting and adventurous way. The lighting is automatically turned on every night at dusk and turned off at midnight.
The trail is made by the landscape architect Rainer Stange.
The path is covered in red rombeporfyr, "the red carpet", which is hardly anywhere else than in Stokke. The forest on both sides of the trail has Norway's richest incidence of laurel species. Each spring wood anemone cover the forest like a carpet. The area is also rich in birdlife, and each fall the chanterelle shows up in fine yellow bunches on the forest ground.
12 artists from 8 European countries were chosen to create their stories about the nature. The project started in 2001, and officially opened September 30, 2010.
The path is almost two kilometers long and winds its way towards Himmeltrappen (The Sky Stairs). From there, hikers have a clear view of Slottsfjellet in Tønsberg.
GROUP TOURS
Do you want a guided tour? STI FOR ØYE offers guided tours of one to two hours, or lectures followed by guided tours for groups of min. 10 people. Food and drink can also be offered. Get in touch for enquiries.
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.
A monument of Ulabrand is raised at the point where local lodesmen had their observation post.
Ulabrand is regarded as Norway's best known lodesman ever. He worked at Ula from approximately 1850 until he lost his life during an autumn storm in 1881.
At the end of the 19th century the lodesmen themselves had to hail boats and ships that were in need of guidance. Wages were given to the man who came first to rescue – after the first come, first served principle. The lodesman then led the ship safely until it arrived in port.
Consequently, lodesmen had observation posts where they easily could spot ships on their way in the Oslo fiord because of the magnificent view.
There was fierce competition on arriving first to help at the ship's side. The lodesmen often risked their own lives, and Ulabrand was probably the roughest and toughest of the lot. The lodesmen brought many ships and lots of sailors to safety during Skagerrak storms.
Ulabrand himself became a symbol of strong seamanship, but he was first and foremost an important symbol of all the hard work the lodesmen went through to make shipping more secure.
Midtåsen Sculptur Pavilion
On a hill in Midtåsen is Midtåsen sculpture pavilion and a sculpture park, featuring a selection of the works of Knut Steen in marble and bronze. Here you find twelve marble sculptures inside and four bronze sculptures outside.
The pavilion was drawn by the architect Svein Lund and landscape architect Gullik Gulliksen, and has brought international engagement.
Free entrance!
The whaling monument shows whalers with oars in an open boat, with harpoons ready and water spraying.
This impressive monument near the harbour is made in the style of a compass rose, and it rotates slowly on its own axis. Sit down on one of the benches and watch!
Sandefjord's history is inextricably linked to whaling. It was at its peak in 1954 when as many as 2,800 men from the district were hired to whaling – on a whaling boat, a floating boiler in the Southern Ocean or at a whaling station on one of the Antarctic islands. By then, Sandefjord had long been the center of international whaling.
The adventure started as early as 1881, when the whaling boat "Haabet" was equipped for catching in Finnmark. In 1905, the first of many expeditions – with boilers and whaleboats – went to Antarctica. Sandefjord experienced great economic growth, and the whaling created positive ripple effects in business life in the town and the district.
Sandefjord has so many sculptures that an entire book entitled "Worth Seeing" is dedicated to them. The town – and the book – invite you to enjoy a walking tour of the sculptures. Among the largest and most famous works of art are Knut Steen's "Hvalfangstmonumentet" by the harbour and "Fortuna" in Badeparken, Nils Aas' embellishment of Hjertnes' funds wall towards Badeparken, and Arnold Haukeland's "Havdronningen" outside the Hjertnes cultural centre.
There is a sculpture park at Midtåsen, featuring a selection of the works of Knut Steen in marble and bronze. The sculptures are placed within their own pavilion in the midst of beautiful natural surroundings.
Sculptor Carl E. Paulsen. Location: Gunnarsbø.
