The name “Setesdal” comes from “seter”, which is the old name of Valle parish. The three parishes of Valle, Hylestad and Bykle used to be one municipality. In the north, Valle borders on Bykle, and in the south on Bygland, but it is separated from the neighbouring valleys in the east and west by large mountain plateaus. Valle muncipality has approximately 1.300 inhabitants and covers a area of 1.264,7 km2. Before the valley was linked by road to Kristiansand in the 1840s, many people travelled across these moors. The new Brokke-Sule skard road has renewed contact with the west for the approximately 1,500 local inhabitants. Valle comes from the old Norwegian “Vollr”, which means meadow. Kallefossen waterfall at the north end of the once-isolated Setesdal Valley (Setesdalen).
For an agricultural region, in fact one of the largest grain-producing areas in Agder, it is a very suitable name. Up to the present arable and livestock farming and forestry have been the dominant industries. The area is still influenced by this and has little heavy industry. Traditional industries such as silver work and timber construction are major employers. Setesdal evening takes place in July. It is an evening of games, dancing and singing. Traditional food will be served. Join the musicians for two hour´s entertainment.
The largest private employer is the power company Otra Kraft (l/S Øvre Otra). Valle is an active municipality in many ways, and in 1992 it was elected Aust Agder Cultural municipality of the year, and was a national finalist. The combination of rich cultural life and beautiful countryside creates a special community, forming the basis for varied industry, particularly tourism.
Setesdal Museum was established in 1938, then comprising one building at Prestevodden close to the centre of Valle. In 1940 the museum took over the famous Rygnestadtunet, and in 1983 the tenant’s farm Hagen at Lauvdal in Bygland, as well as Bygland Tun.
SETESDAL MUSEUM
In 1969 Setesdal Museum took over the farm Nordigard Tveiten, later called Tveitetunet, with buildings and 2.5 acres of farmland. As a museum the farm was opened to the public in 1977.
In 1974 the museum purchased an old barn with stable and cowshed from the farm Heimigard Røysland in Valle. It was moved to Tveitetunet, and erected on an original barn site there. The year 1775 is marked on the building. Earlier the barn stood directly on the ground, making it possible to stand on the ground and throw the hay in. Later on cowshed and stable were placed underneath in the “modern” way, with a bridge on to the barn. The cowshed housed both cattle and sheep.
In 1987 the Setesdal Museum bought back a mill which formerly had belonged to the farm. Now restored, it stands where it belongs by the brook “Gryte” (Kettle). The name of the brook is derived from the fact that it frequently overflows. After being threshed in the barn and dried in the sauna, the grain was ground to flour in the mill, which was used till shortly after the Second World War.
SILVERSMITHS in SETESDAL
Regional costume jewellery is made according to the old patterns, beautiful filigree silver brooches and buttons for decoration. Sylvbui Rysstad at Rysstad Feriesenter, Sylvartun at Nomeland and Setesdalsylv at Valle. Sylvartun is a centre for folk culture with the emphasis on the handmade silvercrafts and folkmusic traditions of Setesdal. Offering the largest selection in the country of genuine hand made silver jewellery in traditional and modern design. Old buildings (1673). Norway largest collection of hardangerfiddels owned by legendary folk musicans Picnic area by the waterfall.
SETESDALS MUSEUM, MAIN BUILDING
Modern museum building including shop, workshop, office and exhibition premises for changing exhibitions. For the summer there will, for example, be an exhibition of traditional Setesdal “kofta” – knitted jackets and sweaters, as well as a wonderful clothes exhibition “From the Cradle to the Grave”. There will also be an exhibition of woven mats made by Torunn Neset, and the writing room of the author Hans Henrik Holm.
RYGNESTADTUNET
The open-air museum shows the lifestyle of the Setesdal farmer up to the early part of this century. A fully preserved farm with house and various objects associated with the legendary hero “Vonde Åsmund Rygnestad” (1540 – 1610) including the very distinctive Rygnestad storehouse.
TVEITENTUNET
Open-air museum at the old Tveilen sheriff’s estate. The estate belonged to Olav Knutsson Tveiten who, as farmer and sheriff, was the Upper Setesdal representative at the national constitutional assembly at Eidsvoll in 1814. The tarm area contains buildings from the 16th century and onwards. In the main house there is a sales exhibition of local art and handicrafts.
SETESDAL HANDICRAFT CENTRE
Flatbread baking in the centre of Valle. The bakers prepare flatbread and lefser in the traditional manner. Home crafts exhibition.
CULTURE PATH
At Harstad in Valle there is a group of restored milling houses alongside the streams and flower meadows. Information boards. From here the path continues up through the forest to the idyllic Tveitetunet outdoor museum.
RYSSTAD TRAIL PARK
Tourists spending the night at Rysstad can take a walk in Rysstad Turpark just south of the centre of Rysstad. The park is signposted from highway 9. From the car park, a path leads up the “Bakalian” hillside, past an old mill. Many places you will find benches where you can take a rest on your way up. At the top you get a delightful view of Rysstad. The path continues northwards, and you get to a forest road with signposts indicating the way back to the car park. Felling warm after the walk? Take a dip in the river below the waterfall.
KVERNHUSVEGEN FOOTPATH
Start from Valle school, and follow the road southward to Harstad, and continue on the path. At the outset is a group of restored mills by the river Gryte. The path leads to Tveitentunet, a nice place to rest. Past Tveiten campsite towards Brottveit, where you can get a beautiful view of Valle. An idyllic path leads down to the village of Rike. From here is a short walk south to the school and your car.
VIKING SWORD
A 1000-year-old sword from Straume in the muncipality of Valle. The sword has been deposited at the museum by the University Museum of National Antiquities. The sword is one example of the many interesting finds from the Viking age in Setesdal.
HYLESTAD CHURCH
Hylestad Church at Rysstad situated near highway 9, has extended opening hours during the summer season. The road church is a very special attraction for both tourists and local people, and has been highly appreciated by tourists and local people.
SETESDAL EVENING
This Setesdal evening takes place in July. It is an evening of games, dancing and singing. Traditional food will be served. Join the musicians for two hour´s entertainment.
SWIMMING
Marhyl, located 3 km north of Rysstad, near Brokke power station. Marhyl is of high standard, and has a sandy beach as well as smooth rocks sloping into the water.
Near Valle Motel&Camp.; you will find a swimming spot with slide and raft, which the children will appreciate. Here a pool has been constructed in the river.
Honnevje, located about 2 km north of Valle by highway 9. Here are nice, smooth rocks which slope into the water. The area is accessible for the disables.
FISHING
The Otra river system is one of the largest watercourses in the south of Norway. Trout is plentiful in the Otra. The fish is generally of good quality and weighing from 1 – 4 kg. If you prefer fishing in a mountain lake, we can recommend the lake of Bjørnevatn or the lakes in the area of Njardarheim. Fihing licence.