The city of Svolvær has a population of about 4500. It is the capital of the Lofoten Islands and the centre of administration in the borough of Vågan. Svinøya is the oldest part of town, and the first trading activities began there in 1828, when landowner Gunnar Berg bought half of Svolvær for 3000 specidaler (NOK 12,000). The city’s first shop was established there and included a fish merchant’s, bakery and telegraph station. The fish merchant’s was to become the cornerstone of the entire trading post.

 

As the place developed, a row of fishermen’s cabins (rorbu) was built to accommodate the visiting fishermen during the Lofoten Winter Cod Season. The rorbu cabins consisted of 2 rooms. In one of them, the fishermen slept, cooked their meals and repaired their gear, and in the other, they stored their nets, bait and food chests (Lofoten chests).

 

Each cabin could accommodate up to 16 people, several of whom would sleep in the same bed. A number of these cabins have been restored, now offering holidaymakers peace and quiet and a stay steeped in tradition. We can therefore proudly guarantee that you will experience nostalgia and a salty seaside atmosphere here, just like the fishermen and fish workers have done for generations.

 

Svolvær 

Became a transit harbour in 1918. Svolvær was awarded town status on 17.05.1996, and today it has about 4,300 inhabitants. One of Northern Norway`s most important harbours for maritime service. Svolværgeita, "the Svolvær Goat", is the town`s most characteristic feature, representing a challenge to climbers. The painter Gunnar Berg from Svolvær painted many pictures from Lofoten. His most famous painting, "the Battle of Trollfjord" can be seen in the Gunnar Berg Gallery on Svinøya in Svolvær. Other art galleries include the Art Museum of Northern Norway, Gallery Dagfinn Bakke and Lofoten Theme Gallery. The Lofoten War Memorial Museum recounts the role of the Lofoten Islands during the World War 2. Unique ice sculptures are displayed at Magic Ice next to the Hurtigruten docks. Svolvær offers exciting atmosphere of a bustling harbour, a small town and an artists` enviroment simultaneously.