Larvik municipality in Norway have approximately 43.000 inhabitants and 534,7 km2 is Vestfold´s largest municipality both in population and area. The municipality stretches from the Brunlanes coast in the south to the border with Lardal in the north, about 50-60 kilometres, as the crow flies. It is, in fact, a miniature of Norway, even if the highest mountain is only 450 metres over sea level.
The Ice Age gave the district its’ “Ra” – where old and new scars (from the movement of the ice) are to be found, where the Beechwood (Bøkeskogen) and Farris Well have their source and where Mølen, with its’ burial mounds from the Iron Age, forms the end of the moraine as it slopes into the sea. The “Ra” dams Farris lake, which is the source of drinking water for the greater part of Vestfold’s population.
The 123 km coastline is a summer paradise with many cottages and camp sites. Inland in the community there is the Lågen Valley with salmon fishing, farm tourism, a landscape full of our cultural heritage, and a fantastic natural environment with the country’s densest population of Elk.
Larvik is an important “crossroads” for transportation to southern and eastern Norway and have a daily ferry connection to Denmark operated by Color Line. The community is rich in culture and history, from the Viking centre of commerce, “Kaupang”, through “Herregarden” from the industrial period of the Duchy, to the sailing age and coastal culture. The artist town of Stavern, also known as “Norway’s Smile”, is situated in the community.
Larvik is many sided. A summer holiday in Larvik beats a trip to the South any time. New, exciting arrangements, with roots in our history, culture, specialities and traditions make sure that both our own population and tourists have only the best the whole summer long.
Venerable old buildings take us back in time whilst a bustling commerce lights the way ahead. In the south the Svenner lighthouse blinks and reminds us about beauty and the values we are custodians of. It is Larvik we are talking about, town of the open Fjord which embraces it’s small harbours, an area which simply seethes with summer life, whilst leaving room for stillness and dreams. Larvik is famous for its’ beautiful Beechwood, a well loved recreation spot for the town’s population – our very own natural living room.
In the town’s little skerry park, Tollerodden, a stone’s throw from the nautical museum, are placed statues of both Thor Heyerdahl and Colin Archer, reminding us of the great significance the sea has had for Larvik. The old pilot boat, Frithjof II, is a living monument to our coastal culture, whilst the Farris Spring is worth a visit. The granite industry is important to Larvik and to begin to understand the Larvikitt’s (Larvik Granite) unique beauty, it is advised to visit the Town Square, centre of the town and its’ pulsing heart.
Kjose is a village on the west bank of Farrisvannet lake, northwest of Larvik. During the summer 2014 the Demoiselle Crane was spotted in Kjose. The Stave Church in Kjose was first mentioned in 1372 and in 1606, a new wooden church erected, and it stood until 1850, when the present church was built. Both of these churches were located on the same site as the present church.
Farrisvannet lake is a 20 km long fresh water moraine-dammed lake. The lake would have been a salt water fjord had it not been dammed by an end moraine left by the latest ice age. Farris is drinking water reservoir for some 170,000 people. The largest island in the lake is Bjørnøya.
FERRY
Color Line operates four international cruise ferry lines between ten ports in Norway, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The Color Line fleet totals six ships. Color Line´s ships offer facilities and activities suitable for every age group. The Color Line terminals in Norway: Oslo, Larvik, Kristiansand and Sandefjord. The Color Line terminal in Denmark: Hirtshals. The Color Line terminal in Germany: Kiel.
THOR HEYERDAHL
Perhaps the most famous norwegian abroad was born in 1914, in Larvik. Heyerdahl is a world-renowned explorer and archaeologist and best known for the Ra Expeditions and the Kon-Tiki Expedition. Heyerdahl enrolled at the University of Oslo, where he specialized in zoology and geography until leaving on his first expedition to Polynesia in 1937-1938. Thor Heyerdahl is the recipient of numerous medals, awards and honours. He has been a regular member of various scientific congresses, notably the International Congress of Americanists, the Pacific Science Congress, and the International Congress of Anthropology and Ethnology. You can see the ship RA an Kon-Tiki Museum and the Fram Museum< in Oslo.
STAVERN
A few minute’s drive south lies the the happy little summer town of Stavern, a pearl full of life and laughter the whole season. Stavern´s geographical position results in a staggering average of 200 sunny days per year and it is surprisingly hot during the summer. Unusually long spring and summer months offer a natural attraction for a country more used to long winter months, especially when blue skies meet the sea in an uninterrupted horizon. Stavern has developed into a centre for the arts and galleries and exhibitions are to be found on every corner as the town´s inhabitants swell three-fold in summer.
Norway´s smallest town, was home to many of Norway´s most known and celebrated artist including Herman Wildenvey and Jonas Lie.
On Citadell island just off the coast, generations of artists have painted, sketched or sculpted the beautiful skerry landscape, whilst poets have waxed Iyrical, for there is enough of inspiration. Summer time bubbles with life in “Norway’s Smile”, which Wildenvey dubbed the town. “Happy Days” is an arrangement with a multivarious programme. There are light entertainments, theatre and concerts dedicated to the honour and happiness of the thousands of boating and motoring tourists who stop off for a time in summer Stavern. Arriving from the sea you will see the pyramid shaped Hall of Remembrance, our national war memorial to fallen Norwegian seamen, a landmark you can look out for. The Svenner lighthouse blinks and reminds us about beauty and the values we are custodians of.
Fredriksvern Verft
In 1750 King Fredrik V commissioned the construction of Fredriksvern Verft, which would be Norway´s premier naval base and largest naval port. The most outstanding building on Freriksvern is “Fredriksvern Church”. Completed in 1756, it is a beatiful blend of renaissance and baroque architecture. In front of Freriksvern Church stands a fountain with 13 names on men who gave their lives during the war. The fountain is made of a light coloured granite, common to this part of Norway. The distinct, red cubic houses built on the rocky crags above Fredriksvern form part of the naval base. The resemble old fashioned, traditional Norwegian farmhouse pantries.
Built along the shoreline in 1926, “The Rememberance Hall” (Minnehallen) is Norway´s monument to fallen seamen. The building was constructed by builders from Bohuslen. The monument´s unique pyramid-shaped construction today serves as a landmark welcoming all sailors to Stavern.
ULA
On the mountain above Ula there is a view over one of Norway’s most beautiful skerry areas. From here you may see the island groups of Færder, Rauer and Svenner a landscape with its’ own charm, both in storm and calm. This beautiful old pilot harbour is today one of Larvik’s many holiday idylls. Ula camping is a camper’s paradise. People come from far away to savour the skerries natural environment and Norway’s most environmental friendly campsite, free from cars and caravans, quiet and safe for children with large nature areas, fantastic beaches and skerry formations.
NEVLUNGHAVN
Nevlunghavn brings peace of mind. Here the open sea meets the little fishing town which has managcd to preserve its’ original character. Nevlunghavn has has been placed on the United Nations list of places worthy of preservation. The little harbour has its’ own hostelry with good food, accommodation and a very special atmosphere. It has its’ own fish delivery, (reception, where the fishermen deliver and sell their catch) with activity all year round and basic service in the summer.
You can sit on the jetty with a bag of fresh prawns, and with peace of mind savour the summer. Off the coast lies Bramskjæra, a small island kingdom and a skerry paradise for boating people. Immediately west of “Havna”, which is the local name for the hamlet, you can find Oddane Sand camping.
MØLEN
Further west lies Mølen where the Vestfold Ra, the gigantic moraine from the ice age, meets the sea. Great stone mounds from the iron age have made Mølen famous. In addition the area has its’ own unique nature, geology and botany. Mølen is Norway´s largest beach of rolling stones, and is a part of Vestfoldraet: the terrain left behind after the end of the most recent Ice age around 10,000 years ago.
The cultural landscape of Mølen, with its total of 230 cairns, is one of the most majestic in Norway. The area has 16 large cairns, many up to 35 meters in diameter, with almost 200 small cairns in rows parallel to the shoreline. The cairns furthest down towards the sea are from the Late Iron Age and Viking times, while those on higher ground are probably older; theoretically, they could be from the Late Bronze Age, as was previously assumed.
HELGEROA
Helgeroa is yet another pearl in the band of hamlets along the coast, facing west and therefore sunny. There is a marina with all facilities and a guest harbour for visitors. Around the harbour are eating establishments where you may consume the best of meals, or sit outdoors and view the beautiful fjord. There is an hotel and the area proves that Larvik is one of the country’s largest camping communities.
If you truly want to experience the skerries you can take Helgeroa boats to Langesund through Stokksund and Bukkespranget, or arrange your own sightseeing trip. The coastal trail starts north of Helgeroa and winds through the terrain past Mølen and Nevnlunghavn to Stavern. Here you may experience the most beautiful nature that the Skerries can offer. The council has published a brochure with a map of the trail. Finally, on the journey from Larvik to Helgeroa you ought to treat yourself to a visit to the Halle mill.
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.
FRITZØEHUS
Fritzøehus is a castle in Larvik which was designed by Jacob Wilhelm Nordan and built by Michael Treschow in the years 1863-1865. The farm has since been owned by members of the family Treschow. It was expanded in 1885-1889 and 1897-1898. Total floor area is 2.302 m² and includes 75 rooms and 21 basement. The castle is the largest privately owned housing.
Fritzøehus park
Fritzøehus located in Fritzøehus park, a park of approx 1.700 decar that today is a conservation area. The park was landscaped in the English style in the 1860s. In the courtyard stands a water fountain and a sculpture of a bear by Anne Grimsdalen. In the park there including deer and mouflon, a wild sheep breed from the Mediterranean. Fritzøehus is now owned by Mille-Marie Treschow. Below the Fritzøehus lies Larvik Golf course and Fritzøe farm is owned by Mille-Marie sister Scilla Treschow.
COUNT ULRIK FREDRIK GYLDENLØVE
From there one may view the old town which was founded by the Count Ulrik Fredrik Gyldenløve in 1671. His mansion is today the town museum and is one of our most beautiful tourist attractions.
HUNTING
A fantastic natural environment with the country’s densest population of Elk.
FISHING
Fishing possibilities are good in Oslofjorden. Inland in the community there is the Lågen Valley with salmon fishing.
GOLF
Larvik Golfclub is one of Norways best 18 holes golftracks. Is ranked as one of Europas 200 best golf courses. Open fairways and challenging greens.
Kaupang Golfclub is under construction.