10 Sights & Landmarks in Larvik That You Shouldn't Miss

Fredriksvern church from 1756 is the first garrison church in Norway. It is a worthy representative for all rococo churches in our country. Fredriksvern shipyard and naval base was established in 1750, and the garrison church was established and then inaugurated six years later. The church was built in rococo style from Dutch brickwork, and it has glazed, dark blue tiles. Salt from the bricks eventually damaged the walls, and because of this exterior and interior walls were whitewashed. In the 1880s the church was rejuvenated, and the genuine colours of red and yellow were reinforced. As the only place of worship in town, the floor in Fredriksvern church is formed as a cross. The church also still has the two-storey altarpiece it got to the inauguration in 1756. There is a hipped end roof in the church. Above the main entrance the monogram of king Fredrik V. shines in typical rococo style, and in addition the mechanical clockwork from 1756 that the church vicar still winds up twice a week.

Ulabrand, baptized Anders Jacob Johansen (1815-1881), was a famous sea pilot who lived in the beutiful village Ula between Larvik and Sandefjord. A monument of Ulabrand is raised at the point where local pilots had their observation post. Ulabrand is regarded as Norway's best known sea pilot ever. He worked as a pilot at Ula from approximately 1850 until he lost his life during an autumn storm in 1881. At the end of the 19th century the pilots themselves had to hail boats and ships that were in need of a pilot. Wages were given to the man who came first to rescue after the first come, first served principle. The pilot then led the ship safely until it arrived in port. Consequently, pilots had observation posts where they easily could spot ships on their way in the Oslo fiord because of the magnificent view. There was fierce competition man to man on being first to help at the ship's side. The pilots often risked their own lives, and Ulabrand was probably the roughest and toughest of the lot. The pilots brought many ships and lots of sailors to safety during Skagerrak storms. Ulabrand himself became a symbol of strong seamanship, but he was first and foremost an important symbol of all the hard work the pilots went through to make shipping more secure.

The mountain Bøkkerfjellet is located in the centre of Larvik. From the old fire lookout post, the tower keepers could view the whole town in the good, old days. The view is fantastic from here, and the site is easily accessible. A Norwegian "bøkker" was in the good, old days a barrel maker.

The garrison priest and later Member of Parliament, Jacob Bull, gave the main house its present form. In 1978 the farm was left to Vestfold County Museum.

Istrehagan is a burial ground from the early age of migration, with 5 stone settings from around 400-600 AD. Remains from persons, beer's paws, china, a needle and other grave gifts are found at Jaberg in Tjolling. The cultural monument Istrehagan consists of five stone settings and two ship settings. The biggest one is 25 metres long and consists of 18 single erect stones. Archeological excavations were undertaken in the early 1960s, and the restored burial ground is considered as one of the best preserved cultural monuments of its kind. Discoveries nearby indicate that there were settlements in this area as early as the Stone Age and the Bronze Age.

The High Residence of the Count - was built in 1677 by the recently appointed Count of Larvik, Ulrik Fredrik Gyldenlove. The Residence is one of the earliest and most important example of Baroque architecture in Norway, adapted to traditional Norwegian log-building. The interiors are famous for its rare decorations in regency and baroque style.

Colin Archer (1832-1921) was a boat builder and a boat designer from Larvik. He grew up in Kirkestredet 9, in a house that today is beutifully restored with some wonderful baroque decoration from the 1700s. Colin Archer had Scottish parents, but was born in Larvik. He grew up in one of the oldest houses in Larvik. His fully restored childhood home in Kirkestredet at Tollerodden was built in 1668. It is one of the oldest houses in town, and it is uniquely situated by the Larvik fiord. Some of the most valuable antiquarian buildings are situated on the property, and in the main building you will find some rare 300-year old baroque decoration. In summer you can enjoy a cup of tea at the cafe outside the main building, and there are also concerts in the front garden in the summer season. The 343-year old house earned the Larvik city council preservation prize in 2007. During the 1850s Colin Archer and his wife built Lilleodden at Kirkestredet 11, next door to his childhood home. Here Archer developed his ideas and designed his boats. Colin Archer is well known for constructing the vessel Fram, and for his rescue ships. He was responsible for building 14 rescue ships and, all in all, more than 200 boats.