Sandefjord

Sandefjord municipality has approximately 42.350 inhabitants and covers a area of 121,3 km2 in Vestfold. Sandefjord a modern town rich in History, a town with a picturesque location and pleasant and welcoming inhabitants, modern, but at the same time rich in historical tradition. Sandefjord perhaps best known as the whaling town. Sandefjord has many interesting buildings, places and sculptures. Although the town of Sandefjord is relatively young, excavations show that people have lived in this area for around 3.000 years.

The beautiful coastline, with small, flowery islands, soft sandy beaches and sheltered coves, are perfect places to visit by boat. Footpaths and cycle tracks wind their way along our crooked coast with easy access to the sea. Further inland you can find untouched forests, shimmering lakes and salmonfishinig if you know where or know someone who does. The city of Sandefjord combines important qualities of life with an international outlook and a business community geared to the future.

Sandefjord has 116 islands within its city limits. Small bays give overnight shelter for those boating enthusiasts, while the beaches are teeming with life during the warm, summer days. The main, city harbour offers showers and washing facilities. The coastal clean up service inspects the beaches and collects garbage from the public areas on the Sandefjord coastline.

The town also boasts rich Viking relics from the Gokstad burial mound, and in the Middle Ages, the town´s first citizens settled on the sea side at the base of Prestasen, which was then called Oddefjell. Sandefjord´s first citizens were primarily sailors, seamen and lumber jacks "Lumber exports began in the Middle Ages".

A tour around Sandefjord takes you to the sculpture Fea Bolt. This well-built woman would take her rowing boat out at night and catch fish and crabs which she then sold to the townspeople from her little cart. Bjerggata, an idyllic part of town with its many charming and well-preserved old wooden houses. Sandefjord have a daily ferry connection to Sweden operated by Color Line.

CATTLE TRAIL

This is not an old street. Originally it was an old cattle trail which ran from Sandar rectory to the harbour Most of the houses were built in the l9th century. Sailors, seamen and those regarded as being poor lived nearest to the sea. The more well-off moved into the upper section. From Bjerggata, the walk continues on to Rådhusgata and the centre, passes the Whaling Museum (Hvalfangstmuseet), a gift to the town from consul Lars Christensen in 1917. Next stop is Storgata 20 and the impressively restored Melsomgården which dates from 1801. The house's first owner, Ole Melsom, ship owner, lumber trader and businessman, a common combination of professions in the 18th and l9th centuries for citizens making something of themselves in the town.

TOWN PARK

The walk continues to the beautiful Byparken (Town park). Take a look at this beautiful oasis in the middle of the town, with its abundance of flowers and beautiful trees. The buildings here were mainly built after the major town fire in 1900 when as many as 56 houses burnt down. You should also take a look at the many fine details on the restored houses, we must also take a trip to Hjertnes promenaden, which was the town's most fashionable street at the end of the l9th century. This was where the beautiful Swiss villas were built.

Further along this old street, where three of the villas escaped being razed to the ground or pulled down in the 1960s and 70s. "Castberggården" this old house has recently been renovated and have many fine embroideries which grace the beutiful villa. From Hjertnespromenaden, both pedestrians and residents had a fantastic view of the Badeparken with beautiful Sandefjordsfjorden in the backround.

THE TOWN HALL

The story of the monumental Town Hall, which was built in 1975, and of the sky-scraping and towering Park Hotel and Hvalfangstens Hus, which was completed in 1959. These two buildings also look out on the beautiful Badeparken. The Park Hotel and the Whaling Monument at the end of Jernbanealleen have almost become the town's trademark.

On the way back to the harbour area and the starting point for this short town walk, the tour takes in the characteristic dragon-style buildings of Sandefjord Kurbad. The first guests arrived at the Kurbadet (the Spa) in 1837. The baths attracted celebrities from both Norway and abroad for more than 100 years. Today the Kurbadet is used for a variety of cultural activities.

ENTERPRISE

These people represented hard work and forward thinking, which gave an early indication of the pioneering spirit which has characterised the town. In a way, Melsom was the l9th century equivalent of Anders Jahre, the 20th century Norwegian ship owner, businessman and philanthropist. Madam Melsom, who secretly helped the poor and distressed. "There was a great tradition in Sandefjord of generosity on the part of the rich and well off, for the good of the town and its citizens.

The district has a variety of trade and industry with the international Jotungroup as the largest company. Other big companies with chemical production are Hydro Pronova, Reichhold and Flowtite.

Mainly of Norway's largest and best known shipping companies are based in Sandefjord, such as Iver Ships, Jahre Dahl Bergesen, Ugland Nordic Shipping and Jahre-Wallem. In the aftermath of the closed down Framnæs Mek. Verksted (ship yard), new shipping and oil-related industrial activity have emerged that specializes in repair, reconstruction and outfitting of ships.

Furthermore this area is strong in engineering, and several small and large-scale companies have specialist skills. The town also has a comprehensive mechanical industry that produces everything from simple constructions to extremely advanced modules for the offshore sector. In the last few years, several companies within the IT sector have either expanded or been established within the district. These include Intellinet, Itegra and the Santech Micro Group. Sandefjord is also an irnportant agricultural district.

THE SPA TOWN

Sandefjord was put firmly on the map as a spa city due to its curative sulphur springs. Sandefjord Sulphur Spa was opened in 1836, and spending time at the spa became important for the upper classes. Royalty, political leaders and leading cultural personalities visited Sandefjord Spa. The majority of guests were Norwegian but there were also guests from Germany, Great Britain, USA and Russia.

SANDEFJORD TORP AIRPORT

The two domestic operating airlines operating from Torp is SAS Braathens and Widerøe, each offering discounted flight passes. Ryanair operate twice - daily service between London Stansted and Oslo (south) Torp airport.

CHURCHES

Sandefjord Church and Sandar Church are situated in the town centre. There are three other church buildings (activity churches) east, west and south of the city centre.

The present day Sandar Church is built on the ruins of a medieval stone church from the 13th century. The present church was built in 1792 in the style of Ludvig XV. Originally, the church had a rounded dome instead of today's spire, which was installed in 1868.

SANDEFJORD MARITIME MUSEUM

At the maritime museum you can relive the development of shipping from the days of sailing ships in the second half of the 19th century, up to present day modern shipping. The museum also has an exhibition that shows discoveries from the Viking burial mound Gokstadhaugen.

ØVRE MYRA HUSMANNSPLASS

Øvre Myra is Sandefjords last remaining crofter's farm. It has been in use from before 1770 and was one of the 10 farms that were tied to Sandar Rectory. The farm is owned jointly by Sandar Historical Society (Sandar Historielag) and Old Sandefjord Association (Forening Gamle Sandefjord).

THE KINGDOM OF THE VIKINGS

1000 years ago Vestfold was the starting point for the Vikings roaming the world. Sandefjord and the districts around the Oslofjord were an important home base of the Viking society. A large Viking project is being planned in Sandefjord, "The World of the Vikings".

GOKSTADHAUGEN MEMORIAL PARK

The copy of the Viking ship found in Gokstadhaugen is situated at Museumsbrygga in Sandefjord Harbour. The ship is called "Gaia". Other Viking sites in Vestfold are near by, such as Norway's first market place at Kaupang near Tjodalyng. The Oseberg Ship was found in Tønsberg, and the Borrehaugene are burial mounds of local chieftains near Borre Church (Horten) with the Midtgard building.

THE ROCK CARVINGS and STANDING STONES

At Haugen farm in Jåberg, there are rock carvings showing farming symbols dating to the years 1500 - 500 BC. These are some of the finest rock carvings in Vestfold.

OUTDOORS

With its 146 km coastline there are beaches, coves, rock faces, islets and small rocky islands along the coast. Directly north of the E18 road is the lake Goksjø, and further inland the Svartåa waterway. Here you will find many walks and pathways with a variety of berries, as well as the opportunity to hunt and fish. In the lower area of Svartåa and the Hagenes River, you can try salmon and trout fishing. Numedalslågen, considered to be one of the four best salmon fishing rivers in Norway, is also just a short distance away. The nearest alpine ski centre is in Svarstad, 50 km from Sandefjord.

GOLF

Sandefjord Golfclub is planned to be a golf course with 18 holes and a variation of difficulties. The course lies at Jåberg / Marum approximately 5 km from Sandefjord City Center.