Sites worth seeing Arkiver

The Tangaroa

Tangaroa is the balsa raft used during the Tangaroa Expedition in 2006, a modern recreation of Thor Heyerdahl’s famous Kon-Tiki voyage. Today, the raft is on display at Sjøparken in Larvik.

The Tangaroa Expedition was led by Norwegian Torgeir Higraff and aimed to sail from Peru to Polynesia in 70 days. The raft was built in Peru, and the six-person crew included Olav Heyerdahl, grandson of Thor Heyerdahl.

After the expedition, Tangaroa was transported back to Norway. The raft has since been used in various settings, including as a prop during the filming of Kon-Tiki in Malta in 2011.

KNM Narvik

KNM Narvik is a former Norwegian Navy frigate, now preserved as a museum ship at Karljohansvern in Horten, next to the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum. Step aboard a real Cold War warship and explore cabins, command areas and spaces where the crew once lived and worked. Preserved as a floating maritime heritage vessel, KNM Narvik offers a close look at Norway's naval history.

Discover life on board
What was everyday life like on a warship, with narrow cabins, long watches and a large crew sharing limited space? On KNM Narvik, you can walk through narrow corridors, see where the sailors slept and ate, and discover what life was like aboard a Norwegian naval frigate.
During a guided tour, you will hear stories about the people who served aboard, the missions they took part in and the routines of life at sea. The museum ship is an interesting experience for history enthusiasts and families with children curious about naval vessels and life on the water.

More than 40 years of naval history
KNM Narvik (F304) was built at the Royal Norwegian Navy's main shipyard in Horten and delivered to the Navy in 1966. One of five Oslo-class frigates, the ship served in convoy protection, coastal defence and NATO operations. By the time she was decommissioned in 2007, KNM Narvik had travelled approximately 850,000 nautical miles. More than 5,000 men and women had served aboard. The frigate opened as a museum ship at Karljohansvern in 2017. Officially protected by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage in 2016, the vessel is now preserved as part of Norway's maritime heritage.

Take a break in the crew's mess
After exploring the ship, stop by the onboard kiosk for coffee, something sweet or a light meal. You can enjoy your refreshments in the original crew's mess, where sailors once gathered between watches. Souvenirs and merchandise are also available.

Explore more of Karljohansvern
KNM Narvik is moored in the historic naval area of Karljohansvern. Nearby, the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum tells the story of Norway's naval forces through historic vessels, artefacts and exhibitions. You can also visit Preus Museum, Norway's national museum of photography, in the same area. If you would like to stretch your legs after visiting the museums, follow the walking route through Karljohansvern. The route takes you past historic naval buildings, old avenues, the Horten Canal and green spaces along the waterfront.

Guided tours and dining for groups
KNM Narvik also welcomes schools, companies and other groups for guided tours. Visits can be combined with lunch or dinner in the ship's historic mess rooms, which are available for private gatherings of different sizes. Group visits and dining must be arranged in advance with Marinens Veteranskip.

Take a trip aboard the Royal Launch
Marinens Veteranskip also offers trips aboard the Royal Launch of 1976, a restored electric launch originally built for the Norwegian Royal Family. The vessel is available for private charter with a crew from May to September and accommodates up to ten passengers. This is a separate experience that must be booked in advance and can be combined with a visit to KNM Narvik.

Plan your visit
KNM Narvik is moored beside the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum at Karljohansvern, north of Horten town centre. The visiting address is Nedre vei 8, 3183 Horten. Free parking is available in designated areas at Karljohansvern, including near Kulturverftet.

The museum ship is normally open to individual visitors from May to September. In May, it is open on Sundays from 12 noon to 4 pm, with guided tours at 12 noon and 2 pm. During June, July and August, it is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon to 4 pm. In September, it is open on Sundays from 12 noon to 4 pm. The ship is closed on movable public holidays.

Tickets can be purchased on board. During June, July and August, combined tickets for the museums at Karljohansvern are also available from the reception at the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum. Group visits, guided tours and dining can be arranged in advance from mid-May until 31 October. The visit takes place aboard a former warship with narrow passageways and changes in level. Visitors who require accessibility arrangements should contact the operator before visiting.

Check the Marinens Veteranskip website for current opening hours, admission prices and guided tour bookings.

Thor Heyerdahl monument

The Thor Heyerdahl Monument stands at Tollerodden in Larvik, overlooking the nearby fjord. Created by Norwegian sculptor Nico Widerberg from local larvikite stone, it was unveiled by Thor Heyerdahl himself on his 75th birthday, 6 October 1989. The monument commemorates one of Norway's best-known explorers in the town where he grew up.

A monument made from Larvik's own stone
Larvikite is a natural choice for a monument honouring Thor Heyerdahl. Known for its distinctive play of colour, the stone has a strong connection to the Larvik region. Nico Widerberg's sculpture stands in the green surroundings of Tollerodden. Visitors can admire the work up close and see how its material and form relate to the coastal setting. The monument was erected to mark Heyerdahl's 75th birthday in 1989, and the explorer attended the unveiling.

The explorer from Larvik who crossed the oceans
Thor Heyerdahl (1914–2002) grew up in Larvik and became internationally known for his expeditions and theories about contact between ancient cultures. In 1947, he crossed the Pacific Ocean aboard the balsa-wood raft Kon-Tiki with five other crew members. The expedition demonstrated that such a voyage was possible using traditional raft-building techniques. Heyerdahl believed this supported his theories about connections between South America and Polynesia.

He later organised the Ra expeditions across the Atlantic in 1969 and 1970 and the Tigris expedition in 1977–1978. Using vessels built from traditional materials, he explored the possibility of maritime contact between ancient civilisations. Although several of his historical theories remain disputed, his expeditions attracted international attention and inspired interest in exploration and seafaring.

Explore more of Thor Heyerdahl's Larvik
To learn about his early life, visit Thor Heyerdahl's Childhood Home at Steingata 7. Guided tours are offered during the summer season. You can also visit Larvik Maritime Museum, where the exhibition Explorers and Adventurers introduces Heyerdahl and other explorers with connections to Larvik. The museum has separate opening hours and admission arrangements.

Enjoy the surroundings at Tollerodden
The monument stands in one of Larvik's historic waterfront green spaces, overlooking the fjord. Nearby, Tollerodden Beach offers grassy areas, coastal rocks and places to relax by the water. You can also see Larvik Church, built in 1677. A visit to the monument is easy to combine with a stroll along the harbour and through Larvik's historic neighbourhoods.

Plan your visit
The Thor Heyerdahl Monument is located outdoors at Tollerodden, 3263 Larvik, Norway. It can be viewed from the public waterfront park without an admission ticket or advance booking. Seeing the monument takes only a few minutes, but allow extra time to explore Tollerodden and the surrounding area.

Access is through an outdoor park. Ground conditions, parking and step-free access directly to the monument should be checked in advance if you have specific accessibility requirements.

Ormen Våge

Ormen Våge is a 30-metre-long dragon sculpture stretching across the façade of a multi-purpose sports and cultural hall in Revetal, in Tønsberg municipality. Created by artist Stig Skjelvik, the artwork combines Norse mythology, traditional Norwegian woodworking and modern lighting technology. During the day, you can explore its dark, scale-like surface. After sunset, digital lighting can transform the dragon's appearance.

A dragon brought to life by light
Ormen Våge takes the form of a long dragon stretching across the building's exterior. Its surface is covered in overlapping dark wooden shingles, resembling the scales of a dragon, with a lighting system concealed beneath them.

The installation contains approximately 1,800 individually controlled lighting points. When the light animations are operating, changing patterns create the illusion of movement, making the dragon appear to come alive. This makes the sculpture interesting to experience both during daylight and after dark. In the evening, the relationship between its form, materials and lighting becomes more visible.

Inspired by Vikings and stave churches
The sculpture was developed following an art competition centred on the medieval history of Re. Stig Skjelvik drew inspiration from Norse mythology and the traditional craftsmanship found in Norwegian stave churches. The dragon's outer surface is constructed from wooden shingles made of slow-grown, resin-rich pine known as malmfuru. The shingles were produced by Husanotra, a specialist organisation preserving traditional Norwegian woodworking skills.

The timber is treated with a pine-tar-based oil similar to treatments historically used on Norwegian wooden buildings. Each shingle has also been adapted to work with the modern lighting installation. The result is an artwork bringing together centuries-old building traditions and digital technology.

What does Våge mean?
The name Våge comes from the Norwegian verb meaning to dare. In Norse storytelling, dragons could represent both strength and obstacles that people must overcome. The artist used this dual meaning as inspiration. The dragon represents challenges, but also the courage needed to face them. Its location on a sports and cultural hall gives the idea particular significance. Here, children, young people and adults encounter new activities, challenges and opportunities to develop their skills.

Discover Ormen Våge in Revetal
The sculpture is mounted on the exterior of the multi-purpose hall in Revetal and can be viewed from the area outside the building. Walk along the façade to see how the dragon's shape follows the architecture. From close up, you can appreciate the wooden shingles and craftsmanship, while viewing from a distance gives a better impression of its full length. For more art and architectural experiences, explore Visit Vestfold's guide to architecture and sculpture in Vestfold.

Plan your visit
Ormen Våge is located on the exterior of the multi-purpose hall at Skoleveien, 3174 Revetal, in Tønsberg municipality, Norway. The outdoor sculpture can be viewed without an admission ticket or advance booking. Fixed operating hours for the light animations have not been verified, so illumination cannot be guaranteed at any particular time.

Parking, step-free access and possible restrictions around the building should be checked in advance if you have specific accessibility requirements. You can find out more about the artist and his work with lighting installations at Nullohm.

Poetry Park

Poesiparken, or Poetry Park, is a literary attraction spread throughout the streets of Larvik, Norway. Instead of visiting a traditional park, you can discover poems, song lyrics and literary quotations displayed on walls, steps, pavements, stones and specially created installations around the town. An ordinary walk becomes an opportunity to encounter literature in unexpected places, with words that invite reflection, recognition and a smile.

Discover poetry in the streets
As you explore central Larvik, you may come across poetry where you least expect it. A poem might appear on a building wall, a literary quotation might catch your attention along a street, or a song lyric might offer a new perspective on a familiar place. The installations take different forms and are designed to be discovered as part of everyday life. Some you will encounter by chance, while others can be found using the information on the Poesiparken website. Take time to stop and read as you walk. Poetry Park offers an unusual way to explore Larvik, whether you are passionate about literature or simply curious about the town.

An idea by Louis Jacoby
Poesiparken began in 2006, following an idea by Norwegian singer-songwriter and lyricist Louis Jacoby. The project was developed in collaboration with Larvik Municipality and local businesses to bring poetry and literature into public spaces. The idea was to make poetry accessible to everyone, without needing to visit a library, museum or literary event. Poesiparken aims to create joy, a sense of belonging and local identity through the art of words. Its installations encourage reflection and reading while adding a distinctive cultural dimension to Larvik's streets.

Join a poetry walk
To learn more about the texts and the story behind Poesiparken, you can join an organised poetry walk.
The Friends of Poesiparken have traditionally arranged guided poetry walks on Mondays in July. These walks introduce visitors to selected installations and the literature found around the town. Dates and arrangements may change. Check Visit Vestfold's events calendar for upcoming poetry walks and literary events in Larvik.

Combine poetry with more of Larvik
Exploring Poesiparken can easily be combined with other attractions in central Larvik.
For more local history, visit Herregården, a historic residence built for Ulrik Fredrik Gyldenløve, the Governor-General of Norway, in the 1670s.
You can also continue to Bøkeskogen, a large beech forest with walking trails and views towards Lake Farris. Together, these experiences offer a combination of literature, local history and nature.

Plan your visit
Poesiparken consists of installations at different locations throughout central Larvik. There is no single entrance or enclosed park area.
The publicly accessible installations can be explored throughout the year, free of charge. No ticket or advance booking is required for a self-guided visit. Allow time for a leisurely walk, or select a few installations you would particularly like to see. Accessibility and walking surfaces vary between locations because the artworks are spread across different parts of the town.

Poesiparken lists its contact address as Feyers gate 7, 3256 Larvik. This is not a single meeting point for all the installations.
Visit the official Poesiparken website for more information about the project and the locations of its poetry installations.

Horten Church

When the navy's main base started moving to Horten in 1818, the place belonged to Borre parish. In 1852 the naval station got its own priest and in 1853 the construction of Horten church began. The church was finished in 1855, and was consecrated on 22 August of the same year.

Architect L.H. Grosch designed the church. In 1865, Horten was separated from Borre as its own congregation, and the church has belonged to Horten municipality since 1962. The painter Harald Kihle painted the church interior in 1925.

The large stained glass windows in the back of the choir with motifs from Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and the New Jerusalem were installed in 1992, and were a gift to the church. The original stained glass windows were destroyed after a German bombing raid on 9 April 1940.

The baptismal font is made of Nordland granite and made by penitentiary prisoners from "The Slavery" at Akershus fortress in Oslo.

The church's first organ (15 voices) was built by organ builder Brantzæg. In 1914, an 18-voice organ was delivered by organ builder Olsen-Jørgensen. The facade from the first organ was kept as it is today. In 1958, the organ was restored by Jørgensen. The instrument then got a new playing table, pedal keyboard and stool. The voices were retained, except for two changes in pedal and 2nd manual.

The church has 900 seats.

Sti for øye – Path for the eye

Sti for øye is an outdoor art gallery at Fossnes in Stokke, where sculptures, installations and nature come together along an almost two-kilometre woodland trail. Explore artworks that interact with the trees, light and landscape of the Vestfold forest. The trail is open year-round, and after dark, atmospheric lighting illuminates both the art and the surrounding woodland.

An art trail through the Vestfold forest
Sti for øye was created as a tribute to the forest and its natural diversity. Landscape architect Rainer Stange designed the trail to follow the contours of the terrain, winding between trees and art installations. The path is covered with distinctive red rhomb porphyry stone, creating a striking “red carpet” through the forest. The experience is about more than looking at art. Listen to birdsong, notice the changing light beneath the trees and discover how the artworks encourage you to see the surrounding nature in new ways.

Discover sculptures and installations along the trail
Sti for øye features works by Norwegian and international artists. Several installations were created specifically for the site, incorporating the forest into their artistic expression. Among the works are Morpheus by Lars Widenfalk, Ulvene (The Wolves) and Gaupa (The Lynx) by Sally Matthews, and Blåbær (Blueberries) by Sverre Tveito Holmen. You can also discover Lydstrålen (The Sound Beam), featuring poetry by Harald Sverdrup, and Poesioasen (The Poetry Oasis), where art, architecture and poetry meet. The artworks vary in size, materials and expression. Some are immediately visible, while others reward a closer look.

Himmeltrappen – the Sky Stairs
One of the trail's most distinctive features is Himmeltrappen (The Sky Stairs), designed by architect Todd Saunders. The structure offers a different perspective on the surrounding landscape, with views towards Slottsfjellet in Tønsberg. The trail is almost two kilometres long, so allow plenty of time to explore the installations and enjoy the woodland setting.

Experience the illuminated forest after dark
Sti for øye is open 24 hours a day, throughout the year. Lighting designer Erik Selmer created the illumination scheme that highlights the trail, artworks and surrounding trees. The lights switch on automatically at dusk. An evening visit offers a different atmosphere, with the illuminated installations emerging from the dark forest.

Art and nature for the whole family
Sti for øye is suitable for art lovers, nature enthusiasts and families looking for an unusual woodland walk. The trail has been designed to accommodate visitors using pushchairs and wheelchairs. The official trail map also marks a gentler approach suitable for wheelchair users. Conditions may vary with the weather, particularly during periods of snow, ice or heavy rain.

Guided tours for groups
Guided tours are available for groups of at least ten people. Tours generally last between one and two hours. Talks and refreshments may also be arranged on request. Contact Sti for øye in advance to discuss availability and arrangements.

Plan your visit
Sti for øye is located at Fossnesveien 3, 3160 Stokke, in Sandefjord municipality.
The outdoor gallery is accessible 24 hours a day, all year round. The trail is almost two kilometres long, but allow extra time to enjoy the artworks at a relaxed pace. Lighting switches on automatically at dusk. If you are planning an evening visit, contact the organisers to confirm when the lights are switched off. Visit the official Sti for øye website for more information and a map of the trail.

For more art experiences in Vestfold, explore Sculptures in Sandefjord or Midtåsen Sculpture Pavilion.

The Nesjar Monument

The Nesjar Monument stands on the waterfront in Helgeroa, Brunlanes, near Larvik. It commemorates the Battle of Nesjar in 1016, an important event in Norwegian medieval history. Created by artist Martin Kuhn, the monument was unveiled in 2016 to mark 1,000 years since Olav Haraldsson defeated the forces of Svein Jarl. Here you can discover a chapter of Norway's history while enjoying views of the harbour and fjord.

A monument to the Battle of Nesjar
The Nesjar Monument was created by artist Martin Kuhn for the Nesjar 2016 anniversary project. It was unveiled on 29 July 2016, St Olaf's Day, to commemorate the millennium of the Battle of Nesjar. Standing beside the waterfront in Helgeroa, the monument connects this historic event with the coastal landscape where Viking ships once travelled. Take a moment to explore the monument during your visit to the harbour. Look out across the fjord and imagine how a naval battle might have unfolded in these waters more than a thousand years ago.

The naval battle that changed Norwegian history
On Palm Sunday in 1016, the forces of Olav Haraldsson and Svein Jarl met in a major naval battle at Nesjar. Olav emerged victorious, strengthening his position as king and influencing the subsequent unification of Norway. The battle is described in several medieval sources, including Snorri Sturluson's kings' sagas and Nesjavísur, a poem by the skald Sigvatr Þórðarson. The exact number of ships and warriors involved remains uncertain. However, historical sources make clear that the battle played an important role in the struggle for power in Norway.

Where did the Battle of Nesjar take place?
Historians have debated the precise location of the battle. The waters near Helgeroa, Værvågen and Mølen are among the areas suggested.
The exact battlefield has not been conclusively established. The monument in Helgeroa therefore commemorates the historic event rather than marking an archaeologically confirmed battle site. Mølen is also an attraction in its own right, with ancient burial cairns, a vast pebble beach and an open coastal landscape that offers insights into Vestfold's early history.

Combine your visit with the Helgeroa waterfront
Helgeroa is a pleasant place to combine history with a walk beside the sea. From the harbour, you can watch the boats and enjoy views across the Langesund Fjord. During the summer, you can also travel with Helgeroa Ferries, connecting Helgeroa with islands in the Langesund Fjord and the town of Langesund. If you prefer walking, the coastal trail continues through Brunlanes towards Mølen, where natural scenery and cultural history meet along the shoreline.

Plan your visit
The Nesjar Monument is located at Helgeroa Brygge, 3295 Helgeroa, in Larvik municipality, Norway.
The monument stands outdoors and can be viewed throughout the year. Visiting is free, with no ticket or advance booking required.
The monument is easy to include in a walk around the harbour. Parking arrangements, step-free access and any local access restrictions should be checked if you have specific requirements. Allow a few minutes to see the monument, or spend longer exploring Helgeroa and the surrounding coastline.

Optical telegraph in Stavern

The first tests with the optical telegraph – popularly called the flap telegraph – were done in Stavern in 1808.

Signal Hill, the 75 metre tall top north-west of Stavern city centre, has been used as a site for signalling and military surveillance for a very long time.
The optical telegraph wires replaced the formerly used systems with flag signalling. The wires were organized 1809-10, during the first part of the Napoleonic Wars. The stations were built as observation posts, making it possible to see both of the neighbouring stations from the basis.

In addition the optical telegraphs functioned as a military signalling system and communication system along the coast from Trondheim to Hvaler before the peace agreement in 1814, but the optical telegraph wires were also used for the benefit of civil ship traffic.

The optical telegraph in Stavern was a main site for optical telegraphs in Norway, and visitors may, together with the model, enjoy a magnificent view of Stavern right down below, Viksfjord to the west and the skerries and the ocean southwards.

From Herman Wildenveys gate by the Water Reservoir in the Stavern city centre, you need to walk a 100 metre long path to come to Signal Hill.

Stavern Park

Walking around this square is like travelling through mists of time in culture and in history.

Next door to Stavern town hall, you will find one of the best preserved water pumps in the Nordic countries. The water pump is from 1792. The park is pleasantly surrounded by genuine garrison buildings, and is beautifully situated by the driveway to Stavern city centre.

People used to come here to fetch fresh water, clean clothes and get the latest news and gossip. Today the park is a natural meeting point in Stavern town centre. During summer many couples and bridal parties are being photographed at this idyllic spot.