Things to do in Southern Norway, Southern Norway: The Best Historic Sites

A national centre for preservation and restauration of historic ships built of steel - both as a living engineering workshop and as a museum. In addition of being a national steel-ship restauration-centre, we are also one of fifteen industrial heritage-centres in Norway. Take part on a fascinating exploration under and over, inside and outside the old ships and our buildings and listen to accounts of the work in progress.

Naes Ironworks Museum is located in Tvedestrand, Southern Norway. This is the only one of the old ironworks in Norway where most of the production buildings and equipment are preserved. The most important part of the museum is the blast furnace and the forge. The mechanical workshop has historical exhibitions. The operations at Naes date back to 1665. The ironworks gives a unique opportunity to see how an ironworks was organized, how people lived and worked at there, and how iron and steel were produced. Then visitors get a guided tour inside the production facilities, where the guide tell about how the work was done and demonstrate the rebuilt bellows. In addition to regular tours, the ironworks has many events and activities during the season. Nes Verk is a special national attraction, and a walk along the river Storelva, in the park and on the golf course gives a good picture of this historical area. Guided tours every hour from 11-16 in the summer season.

Setesdalsbanen is a narrow-gauge railway between Grovane and Røyknes in Vennesla. The line operates during the summer season (June, July and August) running steam trains with old wooden coaches. The line runs through beautiful scenery parallel to the river Otra. At Grovane station it is possible to buy light refreshments and souvenirs.

Søgne Gamle Prestegard er et av Sørlandets fineste tun. Stedet har røtter tilbake i før-kristen tid og har vært sentrum i Søgne i hundrevis av ar. Garden heter Søgne og har gitt navn til kommunen. I dag er det kultursenter og Søgne Gamle Prestegard ønsker a være et møtested, og reisemal hele aret, hvor arrangement, kunstutstillinger og naturopplevelse blir deler av en helhetsopplevelse. Bygningsmassen er velegnet til kurs, konferanser og selskap. Omgivelsene er lune og samtidig apne og varierte. I hagen star det en byste av Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, og flere kunstverk er plassert i omradet. Søgne Gamle Prestegard er et flott utgangspunkt for turer rundt Tjomsevannet eller til Bygdeborgen.

This old part of the town got its name from the extensive trade with Holland fram the 1600th until the 1800th centrury. There are few traces left behind from those times. The Dutch came to Flekkefjord to buy timber and rocks. Rumour has it that rocks from Flekkefjord is found under Schippol airport in Amsterdam! This cosy town area, with whitewashed wodden houses, picket fences and lush gardens is a result of the rich herring fishing that took place in the early years of the 19th century. Take a stroll through the narrow lanes and soak up the old history.

Building from 1734, received Europa Nostradiploma for successful restoration.

The childhood home of the artists Gustav and Emanuel Vigeland. Gustav Vigeland is perhaps the more famous of the brothers, having produced the sculptures for the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo. Their childhood home is typical of craftsmen’s houses in “old Mandal”, and a guided tour will give you a unique insight into the childhood and artistic development of the brothers.

Sandra Svendsen's House dates from 1723 and is the oldest house in town, and one of the loveliest.