Dive deep into the exciting culture and history of Southern Norway

Are you curious about the sailing season at Agder? Or why Vigdis in Lillesand was burned as a witch at the stake? Would you like to gain an insight into traditional silver production in Setesdal or learn more about local food and drink?

Let yourself be enriched by our exciting history and culture, take a trip to Southern Norway this spring!

Tradition, nature, art and culture in Setesdal

We start our tour in Setesdal, which has centuries-long traditions in silversmithing and music. In the various museums throughout the valley, we can see, among other things, how iron was produced in the Viking Age, building customs, art, costume and housework traditions. Incredibly exciting!

Experience a real silversmith!

Production of silver is an important part of Setesdal's cultural history. At Sølvgarden Hotell, you can enter the "Sylvverkstaden" workshop, which produces bunad silver and has its own outlet. The hotel offers a wide range of different accommodation options and traditional food in the restaurant. Throughout the year, a "Folk Music Pub" is also organized where you can enjoy the distinctive folk music from Setesdal.

Welcome to visit!

Kunstsilo opens in May!

Kunstsilo is an award-winning, former grain silo on Odderøya in Kristiansand that is currently being transformed into one of Northern Europe's most innovative powerhouses for art and cultural experiences. The museum will house the Tangen collection, the world's largest collection of Nordic modernism, and the Sørlandets Kunstmuseum's permanent collections. In addition, there will be international digital contemporary art, temporary exhibitions, and an expanded offer with lectures, concerts, dining experiences, workshops, function rooms and events.

Catch a show at Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall

At Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall you will find several exciting performances, such as Grease, Romeo and Juliet and Ødipus.

Why was Vigdis Ravnsdatter burned at the stake?

In the center of Lillesand, in a charming white-painted southern house, you are taken back to one of the darkest chapters in Norwegian history, when women were burned at the stake as witches. As an overnight guest in Mysteriehuset, your mission is to solve the mystery of Vigdis Ravnsdatter, who was convicted of sorcery and burned at the stake near Lillesand. You have inherited the house from your great-uncle Reinert, who sailed on all seven seas and had a flair for skipper's crests. You might know him from the song? The one with the leg, you know…

Reinert has for many years tried to find out what happened when the 12-great-great-grandmother was burned at the stake in 1650. Who framed her and was responsible for her death. Unfortunately, he himself died before he could get to the bottom of the story. But in his house you will find everything you need to solve the riddle. Secrets that you and your entourage have a whole day to explore and find the solution to.

An adventure in the forest

Destination Hillestad has a great gallery with shop and cafe. Here you can also spend the night at the holiday center consisting of six pool houses. All this you will find in scenic surroundings with fantastic hiking opportunities.

Åmli Church

Åmli church has a long history and has been a central gathering point for the local community for generations.

Elvarheim museum

Here you can study the beautiful Åmlibunaden, which has long traditions in Åmli.

At Norway's southernmost point, Lindesnes lighthouse, you can spend the night in a real lighthouse keeper's residence, and throughout the year guided tours, concerts and courses are organized. Here you can see an overview of experiences at the lighthouse.

Join us back to the time of migration

Then the trip goes west, and Tingvatn is a very old courthouse for the inland villages to the west of Agder. It is the Iron Age in particular, especially the migration period, that characterizes the area. The court site with burial mounds and stone settings can still be found at Tingvatn. Tingvatn Ancient Heritage Park is an open meeting place - a place where the cultural history of Tingvatn in particular, and in Hægebostad and inner Agder in general, is communicated. Here you can also admire the Snartemos sword.

Sjølingstad Woolen Factory

Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik was established in 1894 and was in normal operation for 90 years. Today, the factory outside Mandal is a living museum factory and preserved by the National Archives. Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik still produces woolen goods for sale on the old machines. On the tour, we tell about the factory's history and demonstrate the machines that raw wool has to go through before it ends up as finished goods.

In the museum shop and online shop we sell woven fabrics, yarn, carded wool, hobby felt and carpets produced on old machines. Here you will find information about our products.