Mandal, the most southerly town in Norway, has a population of approximately 15,500 and a area of 222,5 km2 in Vest Agder. The town is built on both sides of the Mandalselva river mouth. Mandal salmon was a 17th century delicacy. Salmon vanished from the river for many years, owing to pollution and acid rain, but as a result of liming and cultivation, it has now returned.
Mandal is a cheerful south coast town, with a country park of over 100 hectares and 2 km of sandy beaches. The most famous beach, Sjøsanden, is a short walk from the town centre. For a sense of the town’s history, take a stroll through the wellpreserved wooden houses in the pedestrian precinct. Mandal is a lively commercial centre, with plenty of interesting shops. The archipelago of Mandal offers many pleasant outdoor recreation areas, with good facilities for sailing folk, e.g. water.
GUSTAV VlGELAND
Gustav Vigeland´s life began on April 11, 1869. He had four brothers. His father was a master carpenter who had his own furniture workshop, this is where I think Vigeland was first influenced to pick up the art of woodcarving. His father employed apprentices but designed and carried out the woodcarving on the furniture himself, again an influence on Vigeland´s later works and habits. Museum and exhibition studio at the birthplace and childhood home of the sculptor Gustav Vigeland and his brother Emanuel in Mandal. Guided tours and audiovisual presentation for individuals and groups.
MANDAL BYMUSEUM
The town museum is housed in Andorsengården, built 1801-05 by Mathias Knutzen. This magnificent merchant’s house was donated to the town council in 1953 by Magdalena and Marie Salvesen. In accordance with the wishes of the Salvesen sisters, the public library occupies the ground floor of the main building. Upstairs, the museum’s art collection includes the largest public collection in Norway of works by Amaldus Nielsen, the most prominent south coast artist.
The gallery also displays works by other famous local sons: Adolph Tidemand, Olaf Isaachsen and Gustav Vigeland. The museum also has a special fishsheries section, portraying the development of fisheries and fishing gear on the Agder coast.
SKRIVERGÅRDEN
Skrivergården was built for Friderich Fridrichsen, a district judge. The main building – a miniature replica of a castle on the Scotand-England border – was completed in 1766. The builder, George Johnston, came from the north of England. The park was laid cut in the 1780s by Friderich Ludvig Blumenthal, a Danish German landscape architect. Some of the topsoil was brought from Holland as ballast in sailing vessels. Skrivergården nowadays forms part of the town hall.
RISØBANK
The distinctive summer residence in Mandal of Lord Edward T. Salvesen, the Scottish baron. The house was completed in 1901. The architect was another Scot, Sir Robert Lorimer, and the builder was Carl Weyergang from Mandal. Ownership passed to the Norwegian government and the town council in 1971. Summer art exhibitions and cafe. Open daily during summer months.
KLEVEN and GISMERØYA
In the days of sail, Kieven was considered one of the best harbours in northern Europe. The Kleven area has a number of old wooden buildings and boathouses dating back to this time. The island of Gismerøya, now a harbour and industrial area, used to be home to one of Norway’s largest repair yards for sailing wessels.
MANDAL CHURCH
Norway’s largest wooden church, consecrated 1821. 1,30Q seats An oblong church in neoclassic / empire style by the Christiania architect Jørgen Gerhard Løser. A painting of the Resurrection by Mandal-born artist Adolph Tidemand hangs by the exit. Group visits by arrangement year round.
HARKMARK CHURCH
Oblong church, built 1613 in rough timber. Restored 1972-75. Historic church interior with altarpiece, altar and pulpit with paintings of the four evangellsts. Around i35 seats. 10 km east of Mandal. Vlsits by prior anangement.
HOLUM CHURCH
Cruciform church built in 1825. Altarpiece dates from 1858. Portraits of 16 prophets and of King Chdstian IV (1648) by Godfred Hentschei. 600 seats. Visits by prior arrangement.
CYCLING
Bikes, helmets and child seats for hire. Mandal Tourist Office.
Uranienborg, the hilltop overlooking the town centre, is by far the best viewpoint in Mandal. Several paths leading up from the town. Pavilion and viewfinder at summit.
Hålandsheia a popular walking spot just north west of the town. Waymarked tracks and floodlit ski trail. Many fine viewpoints.
The island of Skjernøy is home to Norway’s most southerly community. Great walking country, with waymarked trails, in a beautiful archipelago setting about 10 km east of Mandal. The island roads are ideal for cycling.
FURULUNDEN / RISØBANK
Voted Norway´s best country park in 2001. 130 hectares, a short walk from the town centre. Well-maintained footpaths and way marked trails 7 km. Floodlit ski trail. Good access for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Several beaches, including Sjøsanden (800 metres long). Disabled bathing area at Lillebanken. Shop and cafe at Risøbank during summer months.
SWIMMING
25 metres pool, 34°C warm water pool, sauna, sunbeds, flurnes, diving baard, playpool, swimwear, towel hire, refreshments and swimming gear on sale.
FISHING
Salmon and sea trout may be caught in the Mandalselva river from Jun – 15 Sep. Permits cost dependiog on zone.
GOLF
Mandal Golfclub is a golf course with 9 holes and a variation of difficulties. The course lies at Valle Farm close to Skogsfjorden water.