Tjeldsund

Tjeldsund municipality has approximately 1.350 inhabitants and covers a area of 317,4 km2. The municipality Tjeldsund, northeast in Nordland Country, got its name from the Tjeldsundet strait that connects the two fjords, Vestfjorden and Vågsfjorden. From early times, the strait was the main traffic artery between south and north, making the area rich in relics.

>Both sides of the strait have been central settlement areas through thousands of years. There have been many discoveries in the area - greater than most people would imagine, and the boat-house tufts that remain from the Viking Age are among the largest in all of Norway.

TJELDSUND CHURCH

Hol in Tjeldøya. Long church dedicated in 1901. Stands on an old church site from the 1522.

MEDIA THULE

Myklebostad at Tjeldøya. Sculpture in the sculpture landscape of Nordland. The Icelandic sculptor, Olafur Gislason, is occupied with the dialogue between the work of art and its surroundings. Medie Thule is a building of wood, a house made for the spectator. The spectator is aksed to use or drawn his/her thoughts and attach them to the walls of the house. In this way, a dialogue is created between the spectators.

FORHOLTEN BATTERY

At Ramstadhøgda. A strategically-placed fort with a view over Tjeldsundet Straits north to Senja and South to Taraldsvik. The construction from 1916 lies hidden in the terrain, and has great dimensions. There are many rooms for servicing of canons and billeting of soldiers, in addition to the foundations after the two large canons that were originally bought for the border defence in 1905. Easy access to the fort along marked hiking trails from County Road 824 at Ramstadhøgda.

TJELDSUND MUSEUM

Hol at Tjeldøya. Tjeldsund Museum is located in the old schoolhouse in Hol. The buiding was from 1869 and consisted of residedntial parts for teachers / parish clerks and schoolrom where students could spend the night. The building has served several purposes during this century - the last as a stately home. Starting in 1991, the building was given status and a museum and was completely restored. There is an exhibition of old articles for daily use and pictures. A separate boathouse with Nordlands boats belongs to the house.

BURIAL MOUND

Ripelen at Tjeldøya. The gravesites at Ripelen are a collection of 12 stone piles. They are among the oldest in the region and tell the story about the farm settlement in Tjeldsun all the way back to the Early Iron Age. A cross-shaped bronze buckle from 400 AD was found in one of the stone piles.

BOATHOUSE TUFTS

The boathouse tufts at Sand are the largest in North Norway. With its 40 metres, the largest tuft could have housed ships that are larger than Gokstad and the Oseberg ship.

PILOT BOAT COLLECTION

The collection from Ofoten's first pilot boat service. The exhibition contains objects from the pilot boat activities and describes the development within these services from the first-known private pilot boat to the the scheme for the district's national pilot boat service.

BOAT EXCURSION AREA

"Slembehola" at the furthest end in Kjerfjorden. The saga tells that Sigurd Slembe spent the winter in Kjerfjorden in the 12th century.

FISHING

Deep sea fishing enthusiasts can take a fishing trip out on the ocean. You can fish for salmon, cod and halibut. Be aware that there are a number of special rules in regards to fishing. Remember to purchase a fishing licence.