The municipality of Vik in Norway consists of several rural villages. Vik, Vangsnes, Arnafjord, Feios and Fresvik. Vik forms the municipality centre, housing the local counsil administration and has a population of approximately 1.400. The whole Vik area has approximately 2.800 inhabitants. The municipality covers a area of 832,9 km2. The inhabitants find their jobs in agriculture, industry and different trades and services.

The centre of Vik, where old building traditions and colourings have been preserved, is very attractive. You will notice that shops and official buildings have their signs painted directly on their walls to avoid conflicts of style.

UNESCO´ WORLD HERITAGE

The West Norwegian Fjords of Geirangefjord and Nærøyfjord was inscribed on UNESCOs World Heritage List in 2005. The two fjords are situated 120 km from each other and they are separated by the Jostedal glacier. The World Heritage Site possesses a unique combination of glacial landforms at the same time as each area is characterised by its own outstanding beauty.

Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord stretches through the municipality of Aurland, Lærdal, Norddal, Stranda, Vik and Voss.

VIKØYRI

The name Vikøyri describes the area between the rivers Vikja and Hopra. The last syllable of the name is the Norwegian word describing the flat area of land at the mouth of a river. The settlement lies on the Øyri, which was created by sediments deposited over thousands of years. Vikøyri was common land, owned by the local community, which might be the reason why the community loped so rapidly. During the 19th century an incresing number of people took up trade. An idyllic spot with old small houses and boat houses situated in the centre of Vik and well worth a visit.

HOPPERSTAD STAVE CHURCH

This church was built approximately 1130. It is a triple-nave stave church and has a Gothic altar-baldaquin with sculptured heads, as well as decorations and paintings in the ceiling depicting the childhood of Christ. This stave church was saved from demolition on the initiative of the architect Peter Blix.

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.

HOVE STONE CHURCH

Is the oldest building in Sogn and was built during the 1100th. The church is built in soapstone, and the tower in particular is an example of masonry at its best.

THE STATUE OF FRIDTJOV

A landmark which towers 22,5 metres over the hilltop. The statue was a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II, to the Norwegian people and was erected in July 1913, and stands in a beautiful park overlooking the Sognefjord.

BORGSTOVA

A house from 1790. The only remnant of the Sjøtun Estate, which covered almost the whole of Vik centre. Displays with copies of relics from the oldest burial sites in Vik. Open June / July and August. Can be hired for private arrangements. Coffee and Norwegian waffles.

BURIAL SITES

Vik has a rich historical past. Over 100 burial sites, rich in relics bearing witness of wealth and power.

KRISTIANHUS BOAT and ENGINE COLLECTION

The museum is located by the fjord at the centre of Vik, in the same building as the touristoffice. Here you can experience how boatlife was for the inhabitants by the fjord in the old days. Season: May 15th – Sept.

SKIING

The Vik Ski Festival is arranged at Vikafjellet (Vik Mountain) at the end of May. Competitions in: ski jumping, parallel slalom, cross-country and Telemark style. Public parties and cultural arrangements are organised in connection with the ski festival.

FISHING

Good opportunities for fishing in mountain lakes, the Vikja river and for sea-fishing. There is great variation here between fjord fishing, fishing in among the islands and skerries and deep-sea fishing. You can catch most kinds of fish in this area. The currents and the nutritional content of the seawater make for unusually rich fishing. The most common species of fish are cod, haddock, saithe, pollack and mackerel. A certain amount of deepwater fish such as tusk and ling are also caught in the area.

The municipalities issue a joint fishing permit for inland fishing that covers more than 500 lakes and rivers. Fishing permits are available for salmon and trout in ten or so river systems. Up the fjord arms and valleys you will find large, deep “fjord lakes” offering good inland fishing. These often have good stocks of trout and char.