by: Larvik & Stavern

Hall of Rememberence

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 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.

The burial area of Istrehågan

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!

Bronze age carvings at Haugen

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

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.

Brunla Burial Area

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 Forest – Bøkeskogen

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.

Stavern and Larvik Event

Take advantage of Stavern og Larvik Event´s wide network of good experiences, activities, courses, conferences and dining in unique and historic surroundings. You only need to take one phone – the rest will be arranged by Stavern og Larvik Event.

Own catering department with possibilities to tailor the menu to your own liking. 

Stavern og Larvik Event collaborates with everyone offering gode experiences in Stavern and Larvik, and can therefore offer a number of different activities and experiences. The offer RIB, Sailing, Film Crew, Amazing Race, Cardboard boat race and much more!

Why should you choose Stavern and Larvik Event?

• Easy for you and your company – just call (+47)938 80 333

• You get a total package at no extra cost. The work of the Event agency is based on commision from subcontractors

• For those who want to succeed with others – you save time and money – and recieve good experiences. 

Larvik museum

Larvik Museum is the historically rich and exciting town museum in Larvik!

Visit Herregården and the maritime museum.

​​​Larvik Museum is the town museum in Larvik with two arenas for visitors. Verksgården in the historic quarter Hammerdalen is an old, industrial site now converted into a heritage site with various cultural and business activities, and Herregården, the mansion built by Danish count Gyldenløve between 1674 and 1677.

In addition, Larvik Museum has passed on knowledge about Kaupang, first city in Norway, since excavations of the area around the extinct city started outside Larvik in the year 2000.

The thematic core of Larvik Museum activities is the historic period of Danish rule in Norway, when Larvik was one of two Danish royal counties in Norway (1537-1814). This historic era put its mark on Larvik with regard to industrial development, architecture and social structure. With this period as a backdrop, the museum intends to develop web-based research and display exhibitions on the Larvik community of today. 

NB! Larvik Museum moves from Verksgården to Gamle Mesterfjellet school. All museum operations at Langestrand have been discontinued, and the exhibitions are being moved. The new exhibitions at Gamle Mesterfjellet School will be up in 2024 at the earliest.

Kaupang Viking Town

The Town
Kaupang was founded around the year 800. The location was significant when the town was established as a hub for trade and production. At Kaupang today there is built a Viking house like they think it could have been. You can also see a model of the town and get to know how the town was located.

Research
Many have dug and researched Kaupang from the 1800s until now. Most of the city is still not excavated.
In the exhibition "What Kaupang Earth hid" you get an insight into how archaeologists worked, what they did and what we know about Kaupang history today. A new exhibition on archeology, the town, trade and power opened in June 2021.

Activities in the Summer season

* Kaupang, The viking town: Come and see the exhibition.!
* Fasanatur: Task-track for everyone.
* Family day:, Every Wednesday from July 26 to August 14. Activities for children.
* Puppet theatre: Thursdays July 4 and 11 at 13.00 o’clock. Norvegian language only.
* Walking on Kaupang North: Thursdays July 18 and 25, August 1 and 8. Story telling, funerals and archeaology. Who was buried there and how was the funeral. The walk starts at 13 o’clock and lasts about one hour.

For groups
Activities are organized and adapted to groups as needed.