Sites worth seeing Archives

Bærums Verk

Handelsstedet Bærums Verk has roughly 50 shops, artisans, workshops, galleries and eateries.

Verksgata, which consists of old houses for labourers from the 18th century, is open seven days a week all year round. Here you can find the artisan workshop of the smith, glass blowers, silversmiths, art galleries, eateries including pizza and pancakes, chocholate shop, delicatessen with local produce and other unique shops. The shopping mall in the old factory hosts a large selection of interior shops and chic clothes for the whole family.

Bærums Verk is a lovely place to visit for a day excursion and shopping. Walk along the river among the sculptures and the wooden houses, enjoy a good meal in one of the restaurants and cafes or visit the artisans in their atelier.

The beautiful sculpture park at Bærums Verk include 28 sculptures made by renowned Norwegian artists – a collection that expands with a new sculpture every year. Open 24/7 to the public.

Handelsstedet Bærums Verk’s opening hours can be found on Facebook and on www.baerumsverk.no

Bærums Verk is siutuated along the pilgrim path and is a gateway for recreational routes in Bærum.

Easy access to Bærums Verk by direct bus 150 from Oslo city centre, or bus 210 from Sandvika. Public transport schedule: ruter.no

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Wear Many Hats – Ullensaker Townhall

The artwork "Wear Many Hats" on the roof of Ullensaker Cultural Center was created by TelmoMiel, it is seen from the railway station – so all people arriving with the train see this

Visit Greater Oslo

Art tour of Fornebu

Discover the world-class art – make the trip to Fornebu.

Many millions of NOK have been invested in exquisite outdoors art at Fornebulandet, thanks to architects, builders and the municipality. Norway's old main airport, has become an art destination.

Use the Sunday for an art trip close by. Explore the area as a bicycle safari or on foot and discover selected works of art at Fornebu. The trip is excellent to combine with swimming on the beautiful beaches, a walk in the nature reserve, playing in the playgrounds and school and shopping on Fornebu S or a good meal at the local eateries.

Suggested tour – choose length and time as desired;

The "Imprints" sculpture park by Magne Furuholmen is located outside Aker's new headquarters at Fornebu. The park is the largest collection of sculptural works made by a Norwegian artist since the Vigeland Park and houses 40 large glazed ceramic vases and sculptures. Up close, one can read words and writing blocks that are engraved in the tiles, while at longer distances the expression changes.

Cross the underpass towards the sea by Telenor Arena and walk towards the Telenor building's parking lot. Take a walk across the courtyard. Here is the "Fondation Surgisante" by Buer, 92 striped columns in a grid pattern over the square, but also represents what can not be seen, a continuation of the construction below ground.

The facade on the left shows the so-called "truism", short text-based truths in "Installation for Telenor", which consists of 430 poetic and slogan-like statements. Below the stairs is Franz West's pink sculpture "Drama" a strange shape that has knotted itself.

Continue along the sea towards the Equinor building and you will see Einarsson's sculpture to the right on the grass "Untitled / Big dumb Object" consisting of five billboards standing in a row with prints of various art objects that create curiosity. "Knowing doing the planet" is the big green bullet with a smaller bullet in the middle made by Eliasson. The inner bullet reflects the environment around it, which constantly reflects changes in the environment.

Well worth a detour to Equinor's entrance under the two protrusions is the photo and video installation "The Shimmering Solution – The Tender Pixel Storm" by Rist. In the 1,200 m2 colorful work, nature, animals and people are constantly intertwined in both abstract and realistic image sequences.

On the short side of the old terminal building towards the roundabout stands "Monkey's Fist (Apeneve)", a 12 meter high monumental bronze knot. It was sailors who developed the rope art to which this gives associations.

In addition, there is a lot of great art indoors in the various office buildings, such as decoration in the restaurants and in the old Terminal building where you can find the beautiful wall decorations in the lobby of Kai Fjell in the current Technopolis building.

In the middle of the roundabout stands "Throw" by Kåre Groven, which shows the outline of a man holding a paper plane. The thrower has become a symbol, giving strong memories from the time Fornebu Airport was here.

There are also many other fine art experiences at Fornebu and Storøya if you want a longer trip, move towards Nansenparken, a varied recreation area for everyone living and visiting Fornebu. A network of walking and cycling paths and trails link the different parts of Fornebulandet together and provide opportunities for different activities. Under the bridges near the floating tower are "sound-art installations".

At Storøya school there are great play areas and here is the sculpture "Solknippe" by T.Nordström & A.Oskarsson which looks like many pencils together.
Start your trip outside Aker's new headquarters vis-a-vis Norwegian's "diamond building". The bus stops right outside and takes only 15 minutes from downtown Oslo.

Have a wonderful day.

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Kongsvinger Fortress

The fortress's outdoor area is open and accessible all year round free of charge.

Kongsvinger Fortress was built in the 1680s to defend Norway against Sweden. It was built on the remains of a former fortress, Vingersundet skanse, on the River Glomma and was designed to protect the interior against attacks from the east. The fortress has played an important role in several wars and has been central to the defense of Norway. Today, the fortress is a landmark and is used for cultural activities and recreation, as well as housing a museum and a hotel.

The fortress was built in the 1680s to protect Norway from Sweden.It was placed by the Glomma river and the traffic routes through Vinger to prevent the advance towards Christiania (Oslo). The fortress has been central to several wars, especially against Sweden, and was headquarters for the invasion of Sweden in 1719 and during the planned invasion in 1788.

The fortress was decommissioned as an active defense in 1823, but has been reopened on several occasions, including during the dissolution of the union in 1905. After the Second World War, the fortress was used for the internment of traitors and as a home for various military units.

Kongsvinger Fortress is a popular tourist destination, with a museum, hotel, and events as part of the town's cultural offering. The fortress has been of great importance to the town of Kongsvinger, both as a defense and as an important part of the town's identity.

You may book accomodation on the castle here

At the castle you will also find the Fortress Museum, which shows the history of defence from the Viking Age to the present day. In 2002, H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon opened the exhibition "The Good Helpers". During the last war, there was extensive cross-border cargo and courier traffic across the border with Sweden. The exhibition shows how the war affected the local community along the border. There is also a short video about the history of the fortress.

The picture gallery on the museum's third floor is "Fra Grændsevagten" – a photographic exhibition about the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905. The photographs depict the life, excitement and drama in and around Kongsvinger Fortress.

The museum is open 11.00-16.00 Saturday/Sunday in April and September. Exceptions are Palm Saturday/Sunday, Easter Eve, Easter Monday, 17 May and the first Saturday in June.

The ordinary opening period is from 1 May to 31 August every day between 11:00 and 16:00.
Out of season we are open by appointment.

You may book a guided tour of the castle here.

Christmas Market Bærums Verk

Every year before Christmas, the traditional Christmas market is held at Bærums Verk. It is considered one of the best and most charming in the Oslo region and there are a number of activities for kids and adults. Get the good Christmas feeling, experience handicrafts in the old workers' houses, a fantastic Christmas market and delicious local delicatessen from the Farmer's Market. Learn the stories of Christmas at Verket 1814 from the guided tours. And the kids would love to go for a tour with the Horse and Cart. There is a total of six eateries to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner, and 40 exciting shops where you can do your Christmas shopping.

Join a historical walk or a sculpture park tour when you admire the country´s largest expo of Norwegian three-dimensional art : Let the little ones take part in fun Christmas workshops. The last four Sundays before Christmas Eve, you can buy locally-sourced treats – for yourself or to put under the Christmas tree at the Farmer’s Market. In beautiful surroundings by the Lomma river, Bærums Verk has rows of old wooden houses housing artisan workshops, art- and jewelry galleries, the iron smith (22nd July monument in Oslo), glass blowers and restaurants. At Klart Glass discover how the most exquisite glasses are being blown, or maybe blow your own!

We recommend to enjoy a gourmet meal at the charming historic Værtshuset Inn, the oldest eatery on historic ground. For informal dining we suggest the Pizza- or Pancake restaurant. Bærums Verk is easily accessible by bus from Oslo.

Horse and carriage
Sit in the carriage behind the horse and join us for a short trip up the river Lomma. the sound of tinkling bells and lights from torches will get you in the Christmas spirit.

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Henie Onstad Sculpture Park

Among the most famous works are Arnold Haukeland's Solskulptur 1969-1970, Trygve Fredriksen's Filipstadbananen 1952 and several works by Inge Bjørlo, Kai Nilsen and Camilla Løw to name a few. There is great variation in the use of materials and expressions, from classical works to modern installations.

Map of the area and the art can be found at the museum's exit. Free and available 24 hours a day, all year round.

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Mue Bon og Alex Face – Street Art

Mue Bon and Alex Face are two Thai street artists who collaborate in this mural. The figures are typical of street artists and are repeated in most of what they create. The figure in the rabbit costume is made by Alex Face while the bird is made by Mue Bon. The work was performed in connection with Bærum Art Association's Street Art exhibition in September / October 2014. Website: www.muebon.com/www.facebook.com/Alexfacebkk

Maud and Amundsens polar history

The story of the polarship Maud

101 years after Maud's launch in Vollen, the polar ship sailed home on the Jensen fleet (named after the boatbuilder from Vollen) into the Oslofjord in 2018, after a long journey from Cambridge Bay in Canada. Maud was salvaged, financed and organized by Tandberg Eiendom in Asker, and a Maud House is now being planned at Tofte in Asker.

The Maud expedition under the direction of Roald Amundsen from 1918 to 1925 was a scientific research expedition with the goal of reaching the North Pole by freezing itself in the ice and drifting northward. Harald Ulrik Sverdrup was the scientific director during the expedition and, together with the crew, carried out groundbreaking scientific collection work that became widely known around the world.

The dream of reaching the North Pole was not fulfilled and therefore this expedition largely ended in the shadow of Amundsen's previous achievements, the Northwest Passage and the South Pole in 1911.

The Maud expedition, which lasted 7 years, was a long journey in time and scope and finally this story will be collected and Maud will become a main attraction in a future Maudheim Tofte.

Maudheim

Maudheim will be ideally located for future visitors to southern Asker, along the coastal path that continues into the magnificent nature reserve along the fjord towards Østnestangen.

Maudheim can already be visited today and the harbor area has become a popular place to spend the days with a good view of the sea and good opportunities for recreation. Here Maud lies waiting for her house and there is also a small plane from 1920 identical to the one they had on board and made the first flights from the polar ice.

This area was previously the landing port for timber for Hurum Fabriker, which produced cellulose until 2008. There are a few elements in the harbor that testify to this time, which will also become part of the future story in Maudheim Tofte.

Amundsen – the first man to reach the South Pole

Roald Amundsen secretly planned the South Pole expedition after he heard that Robert Peary had reached the Pole Point. He had been allowed to borrow the ship "Fram" from Fridtjof Nansen and was afraid he would take the ship back if he told about the change in plans. The members of the expedition became the first in history to reach the South Pole point on December 4, 1911, five weeks before the expedition of Robert F. Scott made it there on his second attempt.

From Vollen to the North Pole

The polar ship Maud was built at Christian Jensen's ship wharf in Vollen. The client was Roald Amundsen who planned an expedition to the Arctic, where the goal was to do research in these areas and hopefully reach the North Pole. In June 7, 1917, Maud was completed and was launched where the Oslo Fjord Museum is located today. In the summer of 1918, "Maud" finally sails from Oslo towards the northeast passage. Attempts were made to drift across the Arctic Ocean without success, and other attempts were made to reach the North Pole by plane. The boat remained behind, and after 80 years on the seabed in the northwest passage, the ship was transported home to Vollen in August 2018.
The scientific results from the expedition are still relevant, but Roald Amundsen encountered several obstacles and the ship never reached the North Pole. Amundsen went bankrupt in 1925 and Maud was sold at forced auction. She eventually sank in Cambridge Bay, Canada, where she lay on the ocean floor for 80 years. Maud is in storage in Sagene Båthavn on Tofte pending a permanent «Maud house».

The Oslofjord Museum

At the Oslofjord Museum, you can see an impressive collection of old wooden boats, learn about life in the sea and the history associated with leasure boats on the Oslo Fjord. The children find it fun to make an boat driven by elastics that can be tested in the pool.

Access to Vollen can be done by scheduled ferry or bus. The trip to Maud in Tofte is best made by car. Great day trip to combine with visits to local beaches, restaurants and coastal galleries.

Thank you to MiA/Oslofjordmuseet and Jan Wangaard for text and photos.

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Gjess – Street Art Jessheim

Jessheim enthusiast Tore Kværner had long suggested decorating the wall of the Gjensidige building, which stood gray and dull, in the middle of the main street.

Together with the owner of the building Pelle Skedsmo, Tore Kværner enlisted muralist Caspari to create a painting based on sketches by Egil Nyhus. After several rounds of different proposals, the final design was chosen in May 2022. Just a few weeks later, the finished artwork was officially unveiled during the 10th anniversary celebration of Jessheim as a town on June 10, 2022.

You can find it centrally located in Jessheim town center at Storgata 9.

Visit Greater Oslo

Outdoor art at Hurdalsjøen Hotel & Spa

In addition to being a spa and conference hotel, Hurdalsjøen Hotell has in recent years also expanded with a separate sculpture park outside and more art projects around the hotel.

The artists who have contributed are NICO WIDERBERG, OLE MARTIN SKAUG, SVERRE ANDREAS KOREN BJERTNÆS, HENRIK GJERSTAD, PÅL GJERSTAD, J ØRLEIF UTHAUG and JOSEF TZEGAI YOHANNES

NICO WIDERBERG is educated in drawing, graphics and sculpture at the Norwegian School of Crafts and Design, and studied sculpture under Boge Berg at the Norwegian Academy of Fine Arts. Widerberg works with sculpture in stone (including granite and diabase), bronze and glass, with oil paintings and with graphics. Central to Widerberg's art are depersonalized human representations, heads and torso. The hotel has two sculptures by Nico Widerberg; "På Bølgen and Kransen" two figures in the garden.

SVERRE ANDREAS KOREN BJERTNÆS is a Norwegian painter and graphic artist. He participated in his first exhibition as a 15-year-old in connection with Nerdrumskolen's group exhibition at Blomqvist in Oslo. The hotel also has two works of art by this artist.

OLE MARTIN SKAUG is originally a photographer, educated at California State University in Los Angeles. In addition to studying photography, he also have training in a number of other art disciplines. This led to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Ceramics are today his main form of expression. Ole Martin works mainly in stoneware clay but also in other materials such as iron, lead and epoxy. He has had a number of exhibitions in Norway, Sweden. The hotel is so lucky to have several sculptures by Skaug, including the "Damvokteren" which can be found by the pond north of the hotel.

HENRIK GJERSTAD is a graduate of The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and has studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design. The New York-based artist has been apprenticed to two generations of artists, both his father Pål Gjerstad and his grandfather Ivar Gjerstad. In 2017, he has exhibited works at the Contempop Gallery in New York and at Juvenarte in Oslo.

PÅL GJERSTAD is director of Hurdalsjøen Hotell and has always been interested in art and has contributed to the sculpture park by spray-painting the hotel's old piano and by constructing a steel bench.

JØRLEIF UTHAUG was a pioneer for abstract sculpture in Norway and his experimentation with new techniques and materials led Uthaug to metal sculpture and reliefs in the 50's. He used materials such as glass, stone, wood, copper and brass. The hotel is so lucky that they have borrowed a relief and a sculpture of Uthaug Art Center by Jørleif's son Geir, who is also an artist.

JOSEF TZEGAI YOHANNES is a cartoonist and artist. He is the author of The Urban Legend. In 2016, Josef Yohannes made an Eidsvoll Edition with a dramatic story about scary forces that will "rob the Constitution" – both as an exhibition and as a comic book, and the hotel has borrowed the exhibition of Eidsvoll 1814. This can be seen along the forest path west of the hotel.

SVERRE BJERTNÆS is considered one of Norway's most important and central contemporary artists, and over the past ten years has made a name for himself on the international art scene. His earlier works are characterized by an attraction to dark tones and still life, portraits and model studies. "The collective human" new artwork with us and is made in bronze and is 260 high.

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