Oksenøya bruk

Krongods is an estate owned by the royal power which brought rental income to the crown before it came into private hands from 1838. The Solbakken farmstead was sold out in 1867 and was later the summer residence of the painter Hans Gude.

Here was formerly Oksenøya farm, Scandinavia's largest horticulture plant built by A. F. Klaveness. The estate was designed by Magnus Poulsson, who also designed Oslo City Hall together with Arnsteing Arneberg, and consisted of 10 greenhouses with, among other things, 70,000 chrysanthemums. The gardening business ceased in 1998.

During World War II in late 1941, the Germans set up a secret camp on the site for Russian prisoners of war. In May 1944, the camp was placed under the Grini prison camp, under the Luftwaffe. From then on, Norwegian and German prisoners were also placed in the camp, which consisted of twenty 12-sided tents, built up of plywood sheets of around 5 m² with an oven in the middle of the room and three small windows. Here 15 men lived in each, in two bunk beds that took up about half of the floor space, with eight places in the lower one and seven in the upper one. Over the spring, the camp was expanded to 33 tents, with a total of 400 prisoners from Grini. The prisoners worked on the airport, in the winter, among other things, treading the runway after snowfall.

After the war, the farm was bought by the State in connection with the creation of the Fornebu civil airport. In 1997, the foundation stone for Norske Skog's main building was laid where the camp was located, a building which two years later received Bærum municipality's aesthetic award.The office premises were placed so that the new and older buildings together form a yard. There is also a relationship between the new and old buildings in dimensioning, especially in height, and choice of materials. For example, Poulsson's spruce barn panel, which has been treated with iron vitrol and carbon black, has been repeated.

Norske Skog was founded in 1962 and was one of the world's largest producers of newsprint and magazine paper. The group had at most 13 factories in 10 countries worldwide, but went bankrupt in 2017 and was acquired by an investment company.

Today, a bird reserve has been established in Storøykilen between Oksenøya and Storøya, where 257 bird species have been recorded, as well as around 700 plants.

Rakni`s mound

This monumental barrow is located close to center of Jesshein and Gardermoen airport, only 6 kilometers from highway E6. The mound is larger than any other burial mound in northern Europe and its construction is alo exceptional; between soil and sand, 75000 logs are piled in three pyramid shaped layers.

The original height was more than 18 meters and the diameter about 77 meters. The burial mound was built during one winter and summerr, sometime between 533-551 AD.

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Brambani building

In 1870, Brambani bought a small summer house with a garden down by the river where he built his first lime factory where the Brambani farm stands today. Brambani took advantage of Kristiania's great need for lime and bricks for the city expansions at the end of the 1800s and from 1871 started several lime factories and brickworks in the Sandvika area and on Brønnøya, where the lime kiln has been restored and can be visited. The lime factories were eventually closed down due to the violent collapse in construction activity in 1899. In 1888, he also founded the country's first tinware factory that made multi-coloured lithographic prints on tinplate. This existed until 1929.

He was locally involved in the establishment of Sandvika Vel, the establishment of a waterworks on Stovivannet in 1898 and had a water pipeline built to Sandvika. In the work for street lighting in Sandvika – first with pretoleum lamps from the 1890s and in 1905 carbon wire bulbs were installed.

Brambanigården housed one of the country's first vocational schools and public baths in the basement. It was a popular offer and the need for expansion quickly arose and eventually it was expanded around the municipal building in collaboration with architect Magnus Poulsson.

Bryggerhuset – Tveiter farm

On the west side of the Semsvannet lake is the idyllicly situated Tveiter farm. The Bryggerhuset eatery is situated here, which is open on weekends as well as some other days. The eatery can also be hired for private functions. Bryggerhuset is operated as a work training site by NaKuHel.

Bryggerhuset is 150 years old, and was restored by Asker municipality in 2007. In the old days, the building was also called Drengestuen (“the farmhands’ cottage”), since it was here that the farmhands stayed when the farm needed extra manpower during periods of heavy work. The building was also used to brew beer, bake bread and cakes, and for the washing and mangling of clothes.

For recreational routes: Nearest gateway NaKuHel.

Sourse: Asker Turlag

Bikuben history

The house, which today is a cozy guest house, was originally built on Hovedøya in the Oslo Fjord as military barracks in the early 1900s, but was soon moved to Tofte to serve as workers' housing for many families who worked at the cellulose factory. The vibrant life of the house earned the house the nickname " The Beehive". At that time, there were outdoor toilets, there were no bathrooms and running water came well into the 1900s. The house has more recently, after 1995, been a boarding school for the Rudolf Steiner School and for a short period of private residence, and has been run as an overnight accommodation since 2010.

Today it is a nice guest house with 12 rooms and a charming garden.

Gallery Blaker Skanse

The gallery showcases the breadth of what is happening in the contemporary art field, presenting a combination of well-established artists, newly established artists, and KunstSkansen's own artists.

Any Open Calls, where we receive applications for consideration, will be announced with a specified application deadline.

See more information for the program and opening hours

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Experiences in Holmsbu

Holmsbu – lovely all year round – southern idyll 50 minutes from downtown Oslo

… SOFT BEDS, FRESH FOOD INGREDIENTS, DELICIOUS DISHES, EXCITING GALLERIES, GREAT EXPERIENCES, SMALL EXPERIENCES, AND GREAT, FINE THINGS YOU JUST FIND IN HOLMSBU. ALSO OPEN ON SUNDAYS!

Less than an hour's drive from downtown Oslo, you can walk the Culture Memorial Road, Småtråkk or other tours with captivating storytellers.

The art: Here you will experience the light and the landscape that inspired the artists in the Holmsbukolony, see paintings in the small gallery on the water's edge in Støa or visit the artist Birgit Askestad in Bugtegaten, walk through the eh … magical troll forest to Holmsbu Picture Gallery, which by the way is award-winning and preserved for its special architecture.

Food and coziness: Good food is to be found at Schulestedet in one of Holmsbus's oldest houses in Schulerudgården, with the area's nicest backyard or go to the Privaten Café, Holmsbu Badehotell or the pub Café Juno.

Experiences around Holmsbu center: Take a dip from the rocky mountains at Rødtangen Camping, rent the KOK sauna in the harbor to enjoy the warmth of the sauna followed by a refreshing bath, rent a cabin at Knatvoldstranda Camping, or get a massage and care at Holmsbu Badehotel. The experiences are varied and many. Enjoy an ice cream at the Ravnsborg Gartneri, go on a jungle safari in Holtnesdalen or stone-age memorials on the Rødangen.

In the summer months, Holmsbu is vivid with a rich cultural life. Visit the exceptionally beautifully decorated Holmsbu church, play croquet at Myhrene farm, enjoy a freshly baked pastry while greeting the sweet animals at Sand farm, grab an ice cream at Bryggekkitchenet or secure good organic vegetables for your dinner at Bergsmyrene farm, before walking the coastal path. You get maps at the tourist office in Holmsbu!

Trade: Nice shopping at Bea before finding unique things at Liten in Storgaten and get a cold drink or freshly brewed coffe to go at Holmsbu Handel.

But you can also just sit. And enjoy the tranquility and sight of the white houses, the sea and the boats. And let the hum bum … What we are trying to say is that life is delicious and full of good opportunities in the Holmsbut outlets!

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Romerike Historielag

Romerike Historielag’s aim is to take care of and communicate our Romeriksculture.
The Organisation consists of 17 local historical soscieties.
The following soscieties are memebers of the organization; Aurskog, Blaker og Sørum, Eidsvoll, Enebakk, Fet, Gjerdrum, Hurdal, Høland, Lillestrøm, Lørenskog, Nannestad, Nittedal, Raumnes, Rælingen, Setskog, Skedsmo og Ullensaker. In this historical soscieties you can find lots of knowledge about known and unknown heritage at Romerike. Contact us – we will help you!

Coastal gems along the Oslofjord west coast

Throughout history, the west side of Oslo has attracted artists, bathers and Christiania's nobility to gather in the small towns during the summer months. No wonder the area today has 6 of Norway's Blue Flag beaches in addition to top hikes with stunning views and plenty of unspoilt nature.

A road trip through Bærum and Asker and Hurumlandet, takes you through various eras via charming summer gems such as Vollen, Sætre and Holmsbu. The area is best experienced by car but is also very popular to explore from the bike seat or by leisure boat. There is also a scheduled boat between Aker Brygge and Drøbak / Son with stops along the coast.

From industry and shipbuilding to small town charm
You can get close to Oslo and the region's cultural highlights by staying at Fornebu with sea views and bathing opportunities right outside your door. At Scandic Fornebu everything is ready for a lovely dinner, a game of shuffleboard in the bar. Explore the Fornebu peninsula with its art installations, exciting architecture, Nansenparken and magnificent coastal nature. Art lovers should also visit the Henie Onstad Art Center or Sjøholmen near Sandvika before the tour continues.

Take a tour of the old ironworks at Bærums Verk for a gallery tour and shopping, today a shopping center with over 40 shops and restaurants. The place is idyllically situated along the river Lomma. The sculpture park shows the country's foremost collection of Norwegian sculptors. Fill up the basket of delicacies for the drive from Smelters Mathus and crafts from the unique shops.

A stop in Vollen offers a whole day of experiences; unique shops with jewelery design and fashion, delicious Mediterranean lunch by the water at Vito´s or the taste of Greece at Elea. A popular activity is renting Jet Ski in the marina for a ride to the coastal pearl Konglungen and Middagsbukta, followed by sauna and sea bath at Varm in Vollen. On the other side of the bay, the Oslofjord Museum has changing exhibitions that tell about life on the fjord and boat building traditions. The Polar ship Maud was built here and is now for storage in Tofte, further south on the Hurum Peninsula.
In pleasant Filtvedt there is real danger of staying here in the beautiful white bay with a view to the lighthouse ……. but new experiences are worth the detachment.

World-class geology
You get the feeling of being in Southern Norway all the way along the long coast with small coves and beaches, maritime walks and white seahouses. Explore the unique geology where you see fossils of snails and squid in the stone urns in Slemmestad. The outfield is full of mushrooms throughout the fall, small undisturbed lakes for a dip are nice hiking destinations and you really get away from the hectic everyday life.

The painter town of Holmsbu
Rødangen and Holmsbu were early favorites among the elite of artists, known for their beautiful light. Here the coast is at some of its most beautiful where the fjord opens, the seals colonies reside on the islets and the many nature reserves manage wildlife and plant life. Rent a nice cabin and stay near this coastal pearl that oozes of life from Easter to the autumn holidays, but is well worth a year-round visit. Spend the evening with fine dining at one of the city's restaurants and cafes, listening to live music in the backyard or on the hotel's terrace before the small talk continues into the late morning.

When the morning light comes on, why not start the day in the robes before exploring the area either by renting a canoe, cycling or discovering the galleries for which the place is so famous. The hotel serves a good breakfast with sea views. Just below the hotel there is the possibility to rent the floating sauna and combine the sea bath, togetherness and sauna.

Royal scenery and farm visits
There is something soothing about the presence of the animals, sweaters knit from the finest alpaca wool and to touch the soft fur. Enjoy a day at Bergvang Gård, get close to the beautiful alpacas and ride into the forest on horseback. The Icelandic horse is fun to ride, it is small and strong. The tours take place in the beautiful area at Semsvann in Asker, in the backyard of the Crown Prince´s residence.

Wellbeeing and togetherness
Visit Holmen Fjordhotell to get care of stiff muscles and quality time. Enjoy the afternoon in the hotel's SPA with pool, steam room and jaccuzi. The evening should end with a delicious sea view meal, wine from the house's beautiful wine cellar and a game of shuffleboard.

** Have a good trip**

Follo museum

Follo Museum is an open-air museum with old buildings from Frogn, Ås, Vestby and Nesodden. The museum has a large collection of artifacts, a café with a museum shop and chickens, rabbits and sheep in the summer. The museum also has premises for rent.
The café is open on weekends in the winter months, as well as during the autumn, Easter and winter holidays. During the summer season, the café is open Tuesday-Sunday. The café serves waffles, cakes, soft drinks, cocoa and coffee. In the museum shop you will find a little bit of local crafts, as well as exciting local history.
Guided tours are offered by appointment all year round. The tour visits several of the museum's historic buildings: the Korsegården train station, the Old Holstad School, the farmhouse at Børsum and the Boys' Home. The audience will see various historical interiors, the development of artifacts and how people in Follo have lived throughout history. Our audio guide is available 24 hours a day.
The museum has a packed annual schedule, keep an eye on the calendar to keep up with what events and experiences they offer.
Welcome to Follo Museum!

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