Articles
Fjords are among the most dramatic and spectacular landscapes on the planet. The World Heritage Area, the West Norwergian Fjords, embraces some of the longest, deepest, narrowest and most beautiful fjords in the world. Their scenery and cultural heritage have spellbound visitors down the ages. Many people consider the fjords the very symbol of Norway, the foremost nation of fjords in the world. It is through no mere chance that the Norwegian word “fjord” has entered the international vocabulary. Les meir…
by Johs. B. Thue
There is a song that touch Norwegian hearts like no other – a motherless son’s tribute to the mother he lost: “The very first song I ever heard, was my mother’s singing by my cradle”. Per Sivle wrote this song. Sivle was an important poet and a critical editor. As a child, his playing fields included the whole of Nærøyfjord and Flåm. Les meir…
In order to give this story a broader base, I have interpreted Aurland’s local and national history in the unique setting of fjords and mountains. For many years I have been interested Aurland’s medieval history, especially the period 800-1350 AD. We find that our local history quite often has ties to our national history, and vice versa. They overlap and supplement each other.
By Åsmund Ohnstad
Long ago, there were only footpaths or bridle paths along the fjord. Boats were therefore very important when people wanted to get to other farms and hamlets. Les meir…
By Johs. B. Thue
Inner Sogn has been a cheese region since ancient times, with brown and white goats cheese a particular speciality. However, the pungent “gamalost” cheese also had a devoted following. The Undredal Stølsysteri cheese-makers and the Vik Dairy are the proud bearers of a long and well-rooted culinary tradition which is based on local ingredients and the passing down of local knowledge for generations. In fact, you’ve not really visited Sogn till you’ve tasted the cheese. Les meir…
By Inge Aarseth
The 17-km-long Nærøyfjord, innermost in the 204-km-long Sognefjord, is one of the wildest and most impressive fjords in the world. The fjord is extremely narrow and steep-sided with mountains and glaciers towering 1700 metres above sea level on either side. At its narrowest point, the fjord is only 250 metres wide. Les meir…
by Åsmund Ohnstad
Åtnes Farm is probably one of the oldest in the Aurland area; 2000 years plus. The farmyard, beautifully sited on a wide crag, commands unimpeded views up and down the Aurland fjord. The mountainside above the farmyard offers woodland, hayfields and summer grazing. Les meir…
by Åsmund Ohnstad
Most farms were cleared after the birth of Christ. However, Undredal and Dyrdal may be a little older. After the Black Death in 1349/50, there were probably only people living in Undredal and Dyrdal. After 1850 some farms were abandoned when people emigrated to America. After 1900, new occupations arose, such as construction work, railway work, small industries and tourism. Les meir…