Museum cluster

The buildings in the cluster

Only two of the buildings originally stood on the property, the rest have been moved here from elsewhere in Hardanger. The buildings are furnished in keeping with the way they may have looked when they were in use.

Most of the buildings are open to the public. Here, you can soak up the atmosphere of the traditional årestova open hearth house, see the smokehouse, a 19th-century dwelling house and an old school house from Djønno. The most recent addition to the cluster is the crofter’s house Skarabakken, which is an old dwelling with an open hearth at the centre and a smoke hole directly above with an adjoining barn, which opened to the public in September 2018. Visitors can experience 800 years of important historical building styles in Hardanger.

There is also an orchard at the museum cluster. It has many old varieties of apples, pears and cherries.

Diktarstien, (poets’ path) is also situated here – a beautiful flagstone path featuring quotes from Norwegian poets who have been honoured with a stone at the museum cluster.

Welcome to the museum courtyard

The courtyard is open to everyone who wants to enjoy the nature, history, and atmosphere of this place. You’re welcome to sit down at a garden table, take a quiet stroll between the historic buildings, or taste the cherries from the large trees when they are ripe. Some of the smaller fruit trees carry historic apple varieties that need special care, and are therefore not suitable for picking.

We kindly ask you to show consideration for the trees, the buildings, and other guests during your visit. Feel free to move benches and tables if needed – just remember to put them back afterward. A big thank-you to all dog owners who clean up after their pets and make sure dogs do not urinate on buildings or fruit trees.

Thank you for helping us take care of this special place – for yourself, for those who come after you, and for those who work here every day.