Visit Feda

Ancient Feda

People have resided in the little town of Feda since the stone age. It is located by a fjord and mountainous area just outside Kvinesdal. It was the perfect place for settlers because of the lush forests, rivers and fjords. It is said that the name Feda means "a fertile plain near a river".

Feda river

About Feda

Feda has a small community, narrow roads a string of boat houses and a friendly atmosphere. In the summer months many tourists rent cabins for fishing and hiking in the local area. Other times of the year, it has amazing colours during the autumn, spring and winter seasons.

As you drive along the E39 highway from Stavanger to Kristiansand, there is a section of the road over a bridge that has a postcard view over the fjord and town of Feda. This is shortly after you pass over the Feda river. Being a short drive from Kvinesdal, Feda is the perfect place to visit.

Feda Church Kvinesdal

The Feda Church

The Feda church is perhaps the oldest standing building in the area with evidence dating back to 1302. It was officially inaugurated in 1802 but not completed until 1820 when new fittings were made over the old.

The candlestick holder on the altar in the church is made of brass from 1699. Its base was machined in wood and attached to the brass in 1850. There are also old paintings and other artefacts that date back to the 1600th century.

Bøkkerbua Wooden Barrel Construction Feda

Bøkkerbua Wooden Barrel construction

In the 1800s fishing was a vital source of income for the local people in Feda other coastal regions in Norway. What these fisherman needed, was a container to keep the fish in while out at sea and for transportation once on land.

A local business began producing these wooden barrels at Bøkkerbua. The building was especially located next to the river with two floors. Both floors of the building were used in production of the barrels and the top floor contains a winch so that the barrels can be lowered into the waiting boats below.

Local people still make these wooden barrels with the same tools from the 1800s, in the same building. It is exciting to see them build one from start to finish. Guided tours of the building can be arranged via the Kvinesdal Tourist Office.

Feda fjord bridge

Feda Fjord and bridge

In 2006, the Feda bridge was constructed to shorten travel time between Kristiansand and Stavanger. The bridge is 50 metres high and stretches for 556 metres. It crosses from one side of the Feda fjord to the other enabling easy access to both sides for cars. The steel structure weighs 1,400 tonnes and there was 350 tonnes of cable used in its construction.

Fantastic views from the bridge can be seen both east and west as you cross it. Facing west, you can see the fjord stretching out into the sea with mountains on both sides. Facing east, you can see the fjord run towards the town of Kvinesdal.

The lookout chair and bathing area

Just after the boathouses on the western side of Feda river, there is a white wooden chair with room for two people. It overlooks the fjord and it a nice place to stop and take a break when touring the area.

The locals decided to decorate a large stone next to the chair with a statue of Jesus in a similar design to the one that overlooks the city of Brazil. Approximately 50 metres from the chair is a bathing area with a slide for the kids.