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.
Mølen is Norway's largest beach of pebbles, and it is a part of Vestfoldraet: the terrain left behind after the end of the most recent Ice Age 10.000 years ago.
The cultural landscape of Mølen, with its total of 230 cairns from the Iron Age, is one of the most majestic landscapes in Norway. The area has 16 large cairns, many up to 35 metres in diameter, with almost 200 small cairns in rows parallel to the shoreline. The cairns probably served as "sea markers" along the shipping lanes between different trading centres. This, combined with its striking natural beauty and position on the edge of the sea, makes it a must-see when visiting the area.
You can enjoy a lovely view of the sea at Mølen, and also study the beautiful type of stone called larvikite, a speciality for the Larvik area. There are actually more than 100 different types of rock at Mølen, and a total of 316 different bird species has also been found.
The arrival and departure of the migratory birds is a real treat for visitors. Twice a year the migrants visit wonderful Mølen, heading north in springtime and eventually heading back south when autumn looms.
In the summer of 2008 Mølen was officially made into an UNESCO Geopark Area.
If you want to get to Mølen by walking, the coastal path is easily accessible from either Helgeroa or Nevlunghavn.
Welcome to Mølen!
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 need for two gunpowder towers was revealed in report of the year 1756. Part of the reason was said to be the risk of placing a thousand barrels of gunpowder in one place, and secondly that other sites able to host a tower of that size were unsuitable of other reasons.
A proposal showing a gunpowder tower with a vault was sent over, but the board did not approve of this. The condition was that the attic needed to have a wooden floor resting on a tier of joists, making it possible to cover with a thick layer of horsemuck as isolation against bombardment.
The gunpowder tower was also used as prison for a period of time.
Today the building functions as suitable space for galleries and expositions.
The cultural monument Istrehågan consists of five stone settings and two ship settings. The biggest one is 25 metres long and consists of 18 single erect stones.
The Istrehågan burial ground is clearly visible up on a ridge. It is strategically located along the ancient road that runs through Tjølling from Sandar over Istre and on towards Tjodalyng (Tjølling church). Along the ridge there are several burial monuments from the Iron Age. Traces of the road are still found, among other things in the form of the path east of the burial field and several so-called hollow ways, which appear as ditches in the terrain south of the stone deposits.
Archeological excavations were undertaken in the early 1960s, and the restored burial ground is considered one of the best preserved cultural monuments of its kind.
Discoveries nearby indicate that there were settlements in this area as early as the Stone Age and the Bronze Age.
Practical information
Its forbidden to have bonfires in the burial area
Camping is not allowed
Horse riding only on the path
Clean up after your self – don’t leave food or garbage
Show respect, this is a burial area and our heritage.
Thank you for showing respect!
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 Farris lake stretches from Kilen in Larvik in the south to Siljan in the north, and has an area of 21 km². Especially in summer, there is a lot of activity in Farris.
Many islands and coves offer unique opportunities for excursions, both by boat and canoe. It is also very nice to walk along Farris, and there are marked paths for this purpose. Both berries, mushrooms, birds and wildlife are found in abundance in these areas.
The Farris lake also consists of the Farris river, which flows into the sea at Larvik and is about 1,100 metres. The river's waterfall has been an important source of the city's industry since the 16th century.
Farriskilen in the south-east was in its time a hub for winter sports in Larvik, among other things for ice-skating and cross-country skiing.
Close to 90 graves, wells and hollows are found on this area, totalling more than 120 decares.
Following extensive restoration to re-create vegetation like it once was,
quite many new graves and traces of old agricultural cultivation has been found on the Brunla and Agnes burial area.
Information board at site.
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.
Fjordtaxi is based at Arås marina outside Tønsberg town. Public bus service from / to Tønsberg every 20 minute. There is also parking at the marina.
From Arås there are short distances to the archipelago and Færder national park. The boat is a fast Halco 29 'with 310 hp. and bears the name "The Crow".
It is registered for up to 12 people with luggage.
Fjordtaxi has one owner, Rune Hübner. He is an experienced skipper, raised in the archipelago and know all the islets, reefs and attractions that are worth visiting.
In addition, Fjordtaxi offer guided sightseeing tours, fishing tours, lighthouse visit and seal safari.
