Escorted Rail Tours to Svolvaer
Enjoy the views from this modern yet historic Norwegian fishing port
Svolvaer, a modern town that has grown from an ancient fishing
village, is situated on the east coast of the island of Austvågøy,
one of the larger islands of Norway's Lofoten archipelago.
Lofoten's location in the beautiful Nordland region ensures that
Svolvaer enjoys superb views of the archipelago's snow-capped peaks
and shimmering blue fjords.
Just inside the Arctic Circle, Svolvaer's temperature hovers
around freezing point throughout the year but when the sun shines
this pretty and traditional town and the landscapes that surround
it in every direction are never anything less than achingly
beautiful.
The establishment of the first villages in this area of Norway
can be traced back around nine hundred years, and Svolvaer's
long-established historical importance as a fishing village secured
it official town status in 1918. Cod, herring and salmon farming
are still the major contributors to Svolvaer's economy, but in
recent years the town has become a popular destination for visitors
who wish to explore the Lofoten archipelago with regular boat and
air services bringing in more than two hundred thousand visitors
each year.
During October and November Svolvaer offers excellent
opportunities to spot Orca whales feeding on the archipelago's vast
herring population, whilst other popular activities include
mountain hiking; boat trips into the famous Trollfjord, habitat of
the magnificent Sea-eagle and observing the enigmatic aurora
borealis.
Lofoten War Memorial Museum
Despite its compact size, the Lofoten War Memorial Museum contains
Norway's largest collection of fascinating exhibits including
uniforms, photographs, original drawings by Adolf Hitler, weapons
and other artefacts from the Second World War.
Magic Ice
A former fish-freezing plant has been transformed into one of the
world's first permanent exhibitions of ice sculpture. Kept at a
constant -6OC, this large building contains many sculptures and
installations depicting everyday life, nature, tradition and
culture in Lofoten, and there is also a bar at which warming
spirits are served in glasses made from ice.
Kongstind Alpine Skiing Centre
Established in 1970 and run entirely by volunteers, Svolvaer's own
ski resort offers both mountain and off-piste ski runs for skiers
of all abilities and has its own lift.
North Norwegian Art Centre
Svolvaer is home to many artists, and the North Norwegian Art
Centre features exhibitions of artworks, sculptures, painting and
ceramics from north Norway's artists on a regularly changing basis
as well as providing a permanent gallery dedicated to Gunnar Berg;
a nineteenth-century painter born in the town.
An excellent holiday with lots of interest.