Rollag municipality, in the middle of Numedal. Inhabitants approximately 1.400 and the area 449,3 km2. When it comes to scenery, few people are as lucky as the inhabitants of this area, who have mountains and plateau as their next door neighbours. Thanks to careful management, the scenery in this area is some of Norway’s most well-protected. If you want to go hiking in the mountains, you can choose between Blefjell, Veggelifjell and the Hardangervidda plateau.
The people of Numedal are very involved in the preservation of their history. This area is home to the largest collection of medieval buildings in Norway, including 4 magnificent stave churches dating from the 12th century. The “silver road” from Kongsberg runs through Rollag. Train enthusiasts will love the Numedalsbanen railway to Rødberg, which is open for charters and tourists. There is a wide range of overnight accommodation, including high mountain hotels, mountain lodges, farms and camping. There is also excellent fishing and hunting in the area.
The river Numedalslågen is Norway’s second longest river. From the western part of Hardangervidda – the highest mountain plateau in Europe – the river runs through the Numedalen valley to the town of Larvik. The lower part of the valley is called Lågendalen. In the upper regions there are a number of hydroelectric power plants. Downstream from Hvittingfoss, however, the river runs wild, constantly changing from quiet parts to rapids and waterfalls, through the natural and cultural landscape. This is the salmon-bearing stretch of the river.
ROLLAG STAVE CHURCH
A stavechurch built around 1200. The church has been remodeled over the years, but some of the original parts are still standing. It´s been looking like this since 1660. Inside, the choir has beautiful decorations which were recovered during the restaurations in the 1930´s. The altar, font and chantel are also worth a closer look. The church is still in use.
The Stave Churches are constructions of high quality, richly decorated with carvings. In virtually all of them the door frames are decorated from top to bottom with carvings. This tradition of rich ornamentation appears to go back to the animal carvings of the Viking age. The dragons are lovingly executed and transformed into long-limbed creatures of fantasy, here and there entwined with tendrils of vine, with winding stems and serrated leaves. The elaborate designs are executed with supreme artistic skill. The stave church doorways are, therefore, among the most distinctive works of art to be found in Norway. However, it is difficult to connect them with the Christian gospel.
ROLLAG FOLK VILLAGE MUSEUM
The museum was founded in 1946 and contains 12 buildings (with time it will be 23). The many buildings and the way they were put together was typical for this part of Numedal. The courtyard together with the buildings and all the items in the collection tell us about how the people used to live.
GOLF
Golfclubs in Buskerud.