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About the region

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Along the E6 highway by the Trondheim Fjord you will find a part of Norway where rural culture has strong roots, and a past which has made its mark on the history of Norway. This is Innherred which includes the municipal areas of Levanger, Verdal, Inderøy and Steinkjer.

Verdal - a historic experience

Stiklestad National Culture Centre lies beside the E-6 road outside Verdal, 90 km north of Trondheim.

The Battle of Stiklestad in the year 1030 is Norwegian history's most famous battle. The Christian Viking king, Olav Haraldson, fell there in the fight against the local chieftains. The king was made holy after his death and named Saint Olav. This led indirectly to Norway being gathered as one kingdom and that christianity was introduced. Stiklestad and Trondheim became one of the greatest pilgrim destinations in Europe.

Experience the history at Stiklestad National Culture Centre, most known for its open-air theatre "The Play about Saint Olav", but here there is also a cultural hall with exhibitions, museum shop, café and course/conference possibilities, Stiklestad Church from 1180, a catholic chapel and folk museum with 30 well-preserved buildings from the 1600's until today. In the exhibition "Stiklestad 1030" the Viking period and the history around the battle at Stiklestad is brought alive by a guide who tells the story "The faith changes its face".


Photo: Leif Arne Holme, printing authorised by SNK.

"The Play about Saint Olav" has for more than 40 years enthused the public on the Saint Olav's Day celebrations (29th July). Every year Norway's largest and oldest open-air theatre attracts around 20,000 spectators to the famous battle field at Stiklestad. The performances take place between 25th-29th July in 2001. In connection with the play, various concerts, theatre performances, seminars and other festive activities are arranged. During the week of the Saint Olav celebrations, a market from the middle ages is arranged with demonstration of crafts, traditional food, clothes, activities and games from this period of time, and it will be possible for visitors to hire period clothes and participate in the activities.

The travelling theatre "Gårdimellom - From Farm to Farm" is an experience for the whole family and is performed every day between 23rd June and 12th August. Accompany the servant girl Dorthea on a journey from farm to farm in the year 1901. Meet the housewife, the baker, the shoemaker and the roadman and experience how life was 100 years ago. Perhaps you will be allowed to participate in the tasks? A delightful experience for everyone!

 

Inderøy - the golden route

Turn off from the E6 highway and when you get to Røra, take a parallel route and you will experience one of the most magnificent parts of the Norwegian cultural landscape:

«This is the best place north of the Dovre mountains, perhaps in the whole country. It is large, luxurious, and its fjords and landscape are intertwined in the most exquisite harmony».

It was Norway's first travel writer, Aasmund Olavsson Vinje, who depicted the panorama from Rolsbakken in Inderøy in 1860.

The Golden Route is the name of this alternative to the E6 highway and it only takes eight minutes more. But with attractions as close as here, it may take more. First Straumen - one of Norway's best preserved timber house villages. This is where the artist Nils Aas played as a child. In Nils Aas Kunstverksted (Artshop), you will find a fine collection of many of his most famous works, a gallery of Norwegian contemporary art, and a workshop where children and the young can enjoy themselves.

There are also two medieval churches along the route. The old Sakshaug church just by Straumen, was consecrated in 1184. Hustad church, one of the oldest churches in Trøndelag from the 12th century, is located in Sandvollan.

Gjørv Manor - culture, deer and high-quality food

The most beautiful farms in the area are on a hillside near Sandvollan overlooking the fjord in all directions. Gjørv is one of these and has been a manor since medieval times. The hosts, Inger Lise and Ola Andreas Gjørv will be delighted to show you around and tell you the exciting history of this site which has been inhabited for at least 3 000 years.

They are also proud to tell you about their large herd of deer. This has become a source of income from deer breeding and the traditional processing of the venison. This means that various types of cured, dried and salted venison, pate and well-seasoned smoked sausage are all available. Gjørv Manor is open by appointment for receptions, short seminars and exquisite meals prepared by a gourmet chef.


The impressive buildings at Gjørv Manor from the 18th
and 19th centuries surrounded by extensive gardens.

Snåsa - Hunting and fishing for your delight

In the inner reaches of Lake Snåsavatnet is Snåsa a part of Innherred that is world famous for its hunting and 2000 lakes. Every autumn, the mountains are invaded by eager hunters. Anglers have a longer season and the best fishing is in Lake Snåsavatnet with its rich stock of trout, char and burbot.

The Bergsåsen Nature Preserve is worth a visit to see the rare flora, and by the Swedish border near Lierne is the Gressåmoen National Park. Here the impressive scenery is accessible from the good network of mountain roads.

As Snåsa is a centre for the Sami people this is a place to see Lappish culture in the museum and cultural centre. Also there is a beautiful stone church where the oldest parts are from the 13th century. Viosen is a small village on Lake Snåsavatnet that has protected buildings from the era when boats were practically the only means of communication.

Finally, when you visit Snåsa, approach it from the north and you will be rewarded by an incredible view. The countryside opens up and there is the lake stretching away in front of you, almost like a mirror at your feet.

M/S Bonden II has a regular route on Lake Snåsavatnet

WELCOME TO STEINKJER

velkommen3.jpg (12232 bytes) Steinkjer is situated at the top of the Trondheim fjord, in the Beitstadfjord fjord inlet. The municipalitys scenery is rich, beautiful and varied, stretching from the fjord to the mountains. It is obvious from the landscape that Steinkjer is a typical agricultural and forestry municipality.

In size, Steinkjer is one of Norways largest urban municipalities, with around 20,700 inhabitants, approximately half of whom live near the town center.

Steinkjer is Nord-Trøndelags county center and houses its regional authorities and institutions. Agriculture and commerce are important industries here.

Steinkjer is easily accessible. The E6 road and the railway line go through the town, and it only takes around an hour by car or train to get to Trondheim Airport at Værnes.

knapp20b.gif (971 bytes) Trade

Steinkjer was granted a town charter back in 1857. The farmers in the area needed a center at which to sell their agricultural products. Since then, Steinkjer has been called the "villages town". Steinkjer is now a compact town center with most kinds of shops; intimate boutiques and large shopping centers local merchants and local chain stores. martna.jpg (9215 bytes)
Steinkjer Market

Post-war town

Steinkjer was bombed and laid in ruins in 1940. It was rebuilt after the war and is now a lovely brick-built town, with post-war architecture.

forside1.jpg (7285 bytes) Steinkjer Church

The idyllic River Steinkjer runs through the town, dividing it into two. The church is on the southern side of the river, and is an exciting eye catcher and "landmark" in Steinkjer.

Steinkjer Church is the third church in the towns history. It was consecrated in 1965, 25 years after the town was bombed. The churchs untraditional decorations make it a special cultural experience. The wall decoration and stained-glass paintings by Jakob Weidemann are particularly worth seeing. glassmaleri.jpg (8462 bytes)

 

knapp20b.gif (971 bytes) Culture

Cultural center

Dampsaga Kulturhus is Steinkjers cultural meeting place. The center houses three cinemas, a library with a gallery, a cafeteria, a music school as well as a first-class arena for theater and concert productions. The Dampsaga Kulturhuss architecture is special - three old sawmill buildings with their characteristic chimneys have been connected to a modern part and now form a combination of old industrial architecture and a new style of building.

Statues

Jakob Weidemanns stone monument and a statue of womens suffragette, Fredrikke Marie Qvam, stand outside Steinkjer church.

Steinkjer has several statues of local people who became internationally famous. Otto Sverdrup (1854-1930) had links to Steinkjer in that his parents lived on Trana farm. Sverdrup is one of the most famous people in the history of Arctic research. He accompanied Nansen on his skiing journey across the ice of Greenland in 1888. Scientist Asbjørn Følling (1888-1973) is also honored with a statue in Steinkjer. He became famous for his pioneering discovery of the Phenylketonuria (PKU) disease in 1934. PKU could lead to mental retardation and can now be treated as a result of this discovery.

pauline.jpg (12177 bytes) Pauline, an old sailing boat

Pauline is an old Innherred small cargo boat with a half deck and sails, built in 1897 and with its home port in Steinkjer. It is still in full activity, making it the worlds last sailing boat of its kind in operation. It is classified as one of the vessels most worthy of preservation in Norway.

 

knapp20b.gif (971 bytes) Nature and the outdoor life

Steinkjer offers various kinds of nature experiences. The fjord, sea, forest and mountains are very close by and can be reached within the hour. The forests and mountains are perfect for taking hiking trips along marked pathways or in untouched terrain. You can fish for free in a number of lakes and make use of good forest and mountain cabins all year round.

Naturally, there are more activities connected with water near the fjord. On a hot summers day, visit the outdoor areas Paradisbukta, Ho-øya and Kalvøya, with their smooth rocks, lovely beaches and good opportunities for swimming.

In the wintertime, we recommend taking a skiing trip in prepared ski-tracks, for example on Byafjellet (Mount Bya) and Henningfjellet (Mount Henning).