Discover Kolbjørnsvik

Kolbjørnsvik tells the story of its local history through two specific points of reference: its older merchant houses and its historic administrative role. Skrivergården is centrally located in the village and celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2011. It is one of the six older merchant houses in the Kolbjørnsvik area marked with blue signs (“Blå skilt”). As early as 1711, Kolbjørnsvik became a centre of the district judge’s office. So anyone interested in local and merchant-house history will find more here than just a single historic name.

A ferry connection runs from Kolbjørnsvik to the centre of Arendal. Together with the history of the merchant houses, it gives your choice of location a practical and cultural dimension. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can then decide whether Kolbjørnsvik’s history or other themes in the Arendal destination should be the focus of your trip.

Cultural attractions in the Arendal destination

In the Arendal destination, KUBEN explores the history of Aust-Agder and Arendal. The museum also includes the children’s exhibition “Barndom”. At Langsæ gård, you can get a different glimpse into the museum collections: its interiors feature furnishings from the 19th century. Part of KUBEN’s old bird collection is also on display in the former classrooms of the domestic science school at Langsæ. In Arendal, regional history, a dedicated children’s exhibition and specific collection items thus offer distinct cultural themes.

The Eydehavn Museum presents the industrial and working-class history of Eydehavn. The first floor covers the Arendal Smelteverk and Nitriden plants, as well as the society that developed around these industries. The exhibition includes a worker’s home from the 1920s and “Marens minner”, an exhibition about the work of coastal women in the past. These themes make everyday life and the social changes surrounding industry the museum’s main focus.

Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall also combines a distinctive location with a clear cultural theme: it focuses on contemporary art and is housed in a former cotton mill. From the third floor of Bomuldsfabriken, a path leads through the mining area of Gruvene in the sculpture park. The path was completed for public use; as maintenance and access conditions may change, check its status before visiting. Gruvene offers guided tours for groups, school classes and individuals. You need to get in touch by email; booking arrangements may change.

Shipyard history, nature and science

On Tromøya, outside the town of Arendal, lies Bratteklev Skipsverft, an almost entirely preserved shipyard from the age of sailing ships. Between 1868 and 1924, fourteen vessels were built there: eight sailing ships, five steamships—including two made of steel—and one diesel-powered schooner. Visitor highlights at the shipyard include the sawmill, forge, workshops and boat sheds. The number of ships tells the story of production; the preserved work areas offer further tangible points of connection to the shipyard’s history.

The Arendal destination offers other highlights for nature and science. Hove and Spornes have several kilometres of coastal trails, and Hovekilen is a bathing spot there. Vitensenteret Arendal also serves as a visitor centre for Raet National Park. Its exhibition areas cover the human body, technology, mathematics and marine life. The centre is on Arendal’s waterfront promenade, on the ground floor of Eurekabygget; the large Pollen p-hus car park is directly in front. Raet National Park extends along the seaward side of Merdø in Arendal municipality.

During the summer holidays, the ferry to Merdø departs several times a day from the quay at Pollen. If you plan to use the ferry from Kolbjørnsvik or the seasonal connection to Merdø, check the timetable for your travel dates. When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to distinguish between the two sets of highlights: Kolbjørnsvik’s merchant houses and local history on the one hand, and the museums, art, nature and science themes in the Arendal destination on the other.

Discover more destinations: Kilsund, Færvik, Rykene, Bjorbekk, Saltrød, Eydehavn, Arendal, His.

Go to the main travel overview: Arendal.