Parks/Gardens Archives

Stone Art Hvaler (StenKunstHvaler)

On the southern part of Rødshue on Kirkøy, in a landscape full of remnants of old stonecutter activities, the sculpture park StenKunstHvaler is located. It is an outdoor exhibition that is easily accessible throughout the year.

Here you will find stone art by internationally known sculptors who work with local stone, leaving behind a work of art in the coastal landscape. Here an exciting meeting between old, local stone carving industry and modern, international sculpting business takes place in a magnificent landscape by the sea! The place has been visited for several summers by selected international artists who have worked with stone on the spot and leave behind a work of art that will remain for all time.

The first artist out here was the Italian Allesandro Stenico, who in 2005 erected the sculpture Witnesses of the Past. These two abstract columns are made from a large block of granite from the quarry at Urdal. There, the large block was split in two and shaped into a masculine and a feminine column. Which pillar is of which gender is up to each individual to consider. Although the columns are separated from each other, the viewer gets the impression that together they create a larger unit.

When you get closer to the sculpture, you see an egg-shaped stone placed in front of the columns. The stone is marked with a spiral pattern – a symbol of people's lives, and which reminds us that past and future are connected.

In 2006, it was the Japanese Makoto Fujiwara who prepared his Tribute to Røsshue. This tribute is to the landscape, but perhaps to the greatest extent to those who had their daily work here. He started from a niche that the stoneworkers worked in to get shelter from the weather. Here he has created a room from the materials he has found from previous quarries. Together with the small tree, a meditative place is created facing, but sheltered from, the stormy sea.

Vegard Hanve has quite concretely taken local materials as his starting point. Hans Refleksjon (Reflection), which was unveiled in 2007, is based on a cliff-shaped part of the mountain. Here he has polished parts of the mountain so that it reflects this cultural landscape which is the result of the stonemasons' toil. Out of the polished area, a glare is created in the surface, which reflects the light of nature. The sculpture's name alludes to reflection both as we can see with the naked eye when light meets darkness and reflections come and go, but also to reflection about what has been.

From Sweden, Ann Carlsson Korneev came in 2008 with her project En vandring mot horisontens ljus (A walk towards the light of the horizon). The sculpture is shaped like an eye that captures the light from the sea and sky outside towards the endless horizon. The sculpture's uneven lines challenge our ability to see. The game that occurs when we try to focus on a line, but as we get closer, it somehow dissolves. This alludes us to a further reflection on the transition between sky and sea through the way we look.

The latest was Norwegian Gunn Harbitz in 2009 with her artwork Gul Lophelia (Yellow Lophelia). The sculpture has a shape reminiscent of a woman's body, where the shapes of the figures protect the open space in the centre. Here in the center there is a container, which holds a small piece of coral-stem yellow lophelia, which is also found on the bottom of the sea outside the Hvaler Islands.

The artwork encourages us to take care of nature, the sea and our planet – and to see the fine-tuned ecological interaction.

Rødshue is worth a visit all year round, experience the wild, rugged coastal nature where the Skagerrak stands right up. Or not always so harsh, it varies from the quiet, sunny warmth that invites you to throw away your clothes to life-threatening storm gusts in the middle of winter where one should choose other activities. In combination with a chaos of rubble from the toil of the stoneworkers in the last century and the stone sculptures erected in our own, it provides contrasts that last.

You reach StenKunstHvaler and Rødshue by driving off the Fastlandsveien 300 meters east of the tunnel opening and following the sign pointing towards Rødshue. Drive the dirt road for about a kilometer until it ends at the car park. Walk a few tens of meters back along the road and out towards Rødshue along the marked path.

The Riverside art park

The Riverside art park creates experiences and impressions along the Nitelva in Lillestrøm and the Sagelva in Sagdalen.

It is owned and operated by Lillestrøm municipality.

The art park has so far been financed by Lillestrøm Banken, Romerike Sparebank, Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Lillestrøm municipality, and KORO. More information about the art park can be found on the website of Lillestrøm municipality.

More information about the art you will find here at this website

Imprints – ceramic sculpture park

The sculpture park was designed by the Norwegian artist Magne Furuholmen and is the largest collection of ceramic works in Scandinavia today. Her Majesty the Queen officially opened the sculpture park when it was ready in June 2016.

There are 40 individual ceramic elements, all made of high-burnt faience. Two huge jars of 6 meters weighing 9 tons each form the entrance and end of the park. On the long sides there are 9 different columns of between 2 and 4 meters which are placed in two elongated water basins, where water and steam will create different atmospheric moods depending on the season.

"The goal was to create a park that could be experienced in different ways at different times, with water in the summer and steam in the winter as an atmospheric element, in addition to lighting"

Blaker Skanse

Activities

Blaker Skanse offers beautiful surroundings, both because of the park, the fortress and of course the old buildings. If you are interested in history, and you like a special atmosphere, Blaker Skanse i really worth a visit.

Blaker Skanse is one of Romerike’s best preserved and less known pearls. It is located on the top of the hill, viewing Glomma, the largest river of Norway, and with buildings from the middle of 1700.

Blaker Skanse was built in 1683 as a defence against attack from Sweden, and to prevent the enemies (Swedes) to cross the river. From 1917 till 2003 Skansen was a place for education of craftsmen, art teachers and designers.

Today, the old fortress is used for offices, cultural creativity, happenings, weddings, parties, exhibitions, meeting, courses and conferences.

Badeparken, Drøbak

Badeparken in Drøbak

Badeparken and Parrstranda are located in the center of Drøbak.

This is one of Indre Oslofjord's finest bathing areas, with a diving tower, beach volleyball court, floating docks and playgrounds. You can either lie on the large grassy area, sunbathe down on the sandy beach or find a more sheltered spot on the rock.

The history of this park is closely linked to the history of the town of Drøbak. At the end of the 19th century, Drøbak developed into an important seaside town and resort with a number of bathing facilities in Badeparken. The old "Men's Bath", which was part of the bathing facilities and spa facilities built in 1900, has today been restored and is a very nice bathing area. Badeparken and Parrstranda are also a couple of minutes' walk from the center of Drøbak with great niche shops, galleries, cozy cafes and attractions such as the Drøbak Aquarium, the Christmas House and the Avistegnnernes Hus. The nearest car park is Bankløkka and the nearest bus stop is Drøbak church.

Facilities: Car park, bus stop, toilet, shower and summer kiosk.

In my faith, in my hope, in my love

Three cast-iron heads are standing at the quayside in Fredrikstad. Their eyes are closed. The monumental size of the 4.5 metre sculptures contrasts with the peaceful, introverted expressions of the young women portrayed. The way in which the heads are stretched vertically gives them a floating, spiritual feel.

Plensas three heads are modelled from real people. The shape is processed digitally before it is produced in cast iron, conceived especially for this location.

The artist has long been inspired by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, and it was a quote from Peer Gynt that inspired him to make the three-part artwork in Fredrikstad:

– When Peer returns from his journey, where he has failed as a human being in many ways, he asks his wife Solveig ‘Where was I as the one I should have been, whole and true?’ Solveig answers: ‘In my faith, in my hope, in my love’. With these words he is set free. It's a strong message, and I've wanted to make an artwork based on Solveig for quite some time. It was really fitting to do this as my first project in Norway.

– Although this is my motivation for the work, it's not necessary for the audience to know the story. Everyone is free to interpret it in his or her own way.

Skulpturstopp is a gift from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB to Norwegian municipalities.

Hafslund Manor

With roots dating back to the Middle Ages, the manor has been a place for national dramatic events and the growth of industry along Sarpsfossen. Prominent owners, strong personalities and royal guests have left their mark on both buildings and surroundings.

The Hafslund name is first mentioned in a document from 1344, and does not refer to a farm, but to a lid – an area of land consisting of several farms that was to provide one man for a leidang. In 1397, the name reappears in connection with the registration of income from Store and Lille Hafslund, owned by the Diocese of Oslo.

Throughout the 1500s, sawmills were built along Sarpsfossen, and by the end of the century, various party owners had established 17 sawmills on the east side of the waterfall. In 1594, the two Hafslund farms are mentioned again. The rights to Sarpsfossen were sought after, and the location of the farms was good.

Around 1600, the nobleman Otte Bildt gathered ownership of the sawmills, the Hafslund farms and the surrounding mills to Nes. He erected a stone manor house where the main building stands today and received seat rights from the Crown in 1608. Hafslund thus became one manor with noble status.

After Otte Bildt, Hafslund Manor has had an impressive line of owners. Among them were Anna Collett and Peter Elieson, who owned the manor when the main building burned down in the winter of 1758. After the fire, the building was fully rebuilt in 1762, in the overall Rococo style. The Rococo palace is still standing today, and thanks to its preservation in 1923, the original details are well preserved.

The power company Hafslund has owned the manor since 1898. The largest restoration was led by architect Arnstein Arneberg, who was engaged by the power company in the 1930s.

Guided tours

A tour of Hafslund Manor is a journey back to the glory days of the manor, where the manor's skilled guides invite you into the manor's beautiful halls and chambers. Here you can see and hear the stories that rest in the walls – stories about people, cultural heritage and traditions that have shaped Hafslund through the ages. The manor is open to the public every Sunday in July and on selected Sundays in December.

Tickets can be purchased through isarpsborg and Ticketco. For the tours in July, tickets are available from the beginning of May, and from the beginning of November for the tours in December.

Hafslundparken is open to the public all year round and is well adapted for a promenade and recreation.

DUER- Street Art

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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The culture destination Ramme

Edvard Munch's villa

Edvard Munch bought the property Nedre Ramme in 1910, and kept it until his death in 1944. Several of his monumental works were created here. A separate cultural trail shows the way to the colorful motifs and the landscape that inspired them. Shortly after the takeover, Edvard Munch wrote to his aunt: The place I have is almost the most beautiful along the entire coast. And that is no understatement. It is obvious that the beautiful coastal landscape and surrounding forest inspired our greatest artist.

After many years of restoration, the villa has been returned to its original condition. Entering is like stepping into another time, and you can almost feel Munch's spirit in the house. Ramme offers Munch walks, where you can join a walk in the coastal landscape and the surrounding forest, you get to enter the villa, and finally down into the exhibition room in the picture gallery, where Edvard Munch's original art is displayed.

See more about Edvard Munch's villa here.

Havlystparken

Havlystparken is a beautiful garden developed over several decades. No other park in Norway is as diverse and inspiring. All the different plants, the little surprises and the visual excess characterize the entire facility.

Ramme's gardeners ensure that each season is worth a separate journey. In the heart of the park is an outdoor stage where you can experience theater performances and concerts. Close to the stage are Korshaven and Paléhaven. This is a unique arena for companies and gatherings. Here it is arranged for larger and smaller groups for dining and entertainment. The park also contains sculptures ranging from ancient times via mythology and classical style to our own time. Here you can experience works by artists such as Frans and Nico Widerberg, Peter Linde, Marian Heyerdahl and Per Ung.

The wagon and sleigh collection

In "Vognremissen" you will have the opportunity to experience a collection of historic wagons and sledges, with a wide range of age and country of origin. The oldest sleds in the collection are two baroque shell sleds from the Netherlands from approx. 1650. Otherwise, there is a wide selection of wagons and sledges from Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Great Britain, France, Sicily, Spain, the USA, Indonesia and China.

The main part of the collection is from around 1900, but several are from the 18th and mid-19th centuries. In the collection are several English carriages, i.a. a London city omnibus from approx. 1900, with passenger seats on two floors and with original painted advertising. Others include a Wells Fargo Concord Coach (U.S. Mail) from the United States in 1865. This coach was used as a passenger and mail coach across the prairie.

Food and drink

Ramme kro and restaurant, and Ramme café and farm shop serve local, short-traveled and organic food and drink. Here you will find the whole spectrum from good pastries, via healthy soups to elaborate servings of the highest class. The raw materials are Debio-certified, preferably grown on the farm or sourced from the local area. You can also find many of the items in the farm shop, along with great gifts and everything for the garden.

Ramme fjord hotel

Ramme fjordhotell is an art hotel, and consists of two buildings that offer a lot of architectural history: The hostel is a half-timbered building in the 1780s style, inspired by architecture and building customs in Sweden and Denmark/Norway. The building has many beautiful craftsmanship details and a majestic red facade. The rooms have been named after Kristiania-bohemen and Fred. Olsen shipping companies, which have left their mark on local history.

The distillery is a brick factory building in the 1880s style. Here you will find the reception and facilities such as sauna, bar, library, meeting room, lounge, roof terrace with hot tub and observation tower. The Brenneriet is decorated with Edvard Munch as a theme. Common areas are named after the places and cities Munch frequented. Pictures he painted on the spot have given names to the guest rooms and are reproduced on the walls. If you are holding a conference or a wedding, you cannot get a finer setting for the experience.

The cultural program

The cultural program at Ramme ranges from chamber music with the country's leading performers, via outdoor theater with internationally known ensembles, to tours and cultivation inspiration. All the senses should be tickled through a look at the near and distant past, as well as a small taste of the future. Ramme offers, depending on the season, daily tours in Havlystparken, Munch walking, and tours in the Ramme picture gallery. At weekends you can experience various events that vary with the seasons: Garden days in spring, autumn market and Christmas market, children's day and various themed weekends.

Access to Ramme

With your own car – exit Vestby syd, follow signs to Hvitsten and Ramme. With public transport, take the train to Vestby. Then taxi. Ramme is working to create an environmentally friendly bus solution.

See ramme.no/en for more information.

Member of Visit Greater Oslo