He undertook three major expeditions: the Kon-Tiki Expedition, the Ra Expeditions and the Tiger Expedition.
The Kon-Tiki Expedition (1947) – Thor Heyerdahl attempted to prove his theory that Polynesia could be populated from South America and not Asia. He pointed to plant life, the winds and ocean currents as good arguments, and believed local oral tradition suggested the same.
The Ra Expeditions (1969 and 1970) – Heyerdahl tried to link the South American Indians with the ancient civilizations of Africa and the Middle East.
The Tigris Expedition (1977) – Heyerdahl wanted to test his theories about contacts across the ocean between prehistoric civilizations. The aim of the journey around the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean was to show that Mesopotamia and Egypt could have had trade links across the sea several thousand years ago.
Thor Heyerdahl was appointed honorary citizen of Larvik city in 1971, and for his 75th birthday in 1989, a monument made of Larvikite was erected.
The monument stands on Tollerodden.
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.
