Experience the wooden town of Risør

Risør .
Photo: Frida Neverdal

Be charmed by the wooden town of Risør, the White City by the Skagerrak, which is so idyllic it almost hurts. Join a city walk, digitally or with weights. It is an experience in itself to admire the white, old wooden houses along Risør's streets. You won't have long to stroll before you are captivated by the city and understand why it is considered one of Europe's best-preserved wooden cities.

Risør-huset med ingen 90 graders vinkler .
Photo: Gjermund Glesnes

One of Europe's best-preserved wooden towns

Several cities in Southern Norway can call themselves white cities. But it is Risør that is the Trehusbyen itself. This is made clear on the attraction signs that show you the way to the city. You will experience both stately patrician houses along the harbor and narrow streets with well-kept houses and charming gardens.

You can join a city walk with Risør's own bodyguard every Wednesday throughout the summer. He tells about both the sailing ship era, the town fire and the oldest parts of the city. Risør is of course on the list of listed buildings in Norway.

That is why Risør is so beautiful today

Risør's attractive appearance is the heirloom from the city's golden sailing days. In the summer of 1861 250 old houses went up in flames in a dramatic town fire. But little Risør was one of the country's largest maritime towns at the time. Architects and craftsmen from all over Europe helped to raise a magnificent city from the ashes.

A hundred years later, many other of Norway's cities were characterized by sanitation and modernization. But the days of the white sails were long over. Risør did not have the finances for extensive urban renewal. Thus, the old houses were preserved. Risør was later one of the first cities in Norway to work systematically with the protection and preservation of a central area as a cultural environment.

Some of the houses you must see

Solsiden 8: This magnificent patrician house from 1861 is probably one of the city's cleanest Late Empire buildings. S.H. Finne, who had the house built after the town fire, was active as a shipowner, merchant, shipowner, sawmill owner and ice exporter.

Torvet 1 (Prebensen's house): The house was built shortly after the town fire by I.W. The prebend, and it is still owned by his descendants. The house has beautiful decorations on the facade, and the cast iron veranda was acquired for the royal visit in 1891. There has been a cafe in the house, but today the tourist information in Risør is located here. All-time chance to get into the house, that is.

Risør church (Prestegata 6): Den Hellige Ånds church was one of the few buildings still standing after the town fire in 1861. Risør church was built as a cross church in timber in 1647, and is probably Norway's most typical baroque church. The altarpiece with the theme of the Last Supper was probably painted by a pupil of Rubens. The picture was on its way to a church in Riga, but the ship sank between Risør and Lyngør. One of the town's merchants bought the picture and donated it to the church.

Risør Church guided tour

The Church of the Holy Spirit, also known as Risør Church, was built from timber in 1647 with a cruciform plan. Above the main entrance on the western side is a tower, terminated with specially designed lanterns and a spire. The timber structure was clad both externally and internally…

Here you get a view of Trehusbyen

Once you've strolled the streets, you can enjoy great views of Trehusbyen from the open-air area Urheia or from Risørflekken, which is a large, whitewashed landmark that sailing ships navigated by in the old days.

In July, the city's old fire tower (Trappegata 5) is used as an art gallery. From the Galleri Branntårnet you have a good view of the city.

Urheia cultural trail in Risør

Risør is one of the oldest towns in southern Norway. Like other coastal towns…

Risørflekken sea beacon

Risørflekken is Risørs most famous landmark as it was used by sailors…