Alvdal: Art, Farm History and Unique Experiences

Alvdal brings together the stories and images of artist Kjell Aukrust, a protected open-air museum, railway history and an unusual travel idea for the summer season. Families looking to bring together different interests will find a range of things to explore here: art and stories, historic buildings and an experience with the La Pollo XIII rocket. These highlights give you a concrete basis for deciding whether Alvdal is right for your holiday.

Kjell Aukrust’s Art and Characters

Huset Aukrust in Alvdal is the national artists’ museum dedicated to Kjell Aukrust. As an artists’ museum, it features the artist’s drawings, paintings and stories. The collection includes around 3,000 original drawings and paintings that can be presented to the public. This means the focus is not only on individual works: Aukrust’s stories are also part of the museum’s profile. For a visit with children, the connection between images and stories can provide a starting point for conversation, while adults can get to know the collection as a way of discovering the artist.

Visitors can also encounter Aukrust’s world of characters in the centre of Alvdal: Nils Aas’s Aukrust Monument depicts a bust of Kjell Aukrust together with Solan Gundersen and Ludvig. The monument was unveiled on 5 August 1989 at the initiative of Alvdal idrettslag. Its location in the centre and the three figures depicted make it a point of interest in its own right for anyone interested in Aukrust. It complements a visit to the museum with a public artwork that has a clear connection to Alvdal.

Husantunet and Building Traditions in Nord-Østerdal

Husantunet offers another perspective on local history. It is one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved farm complexes from the 19th century. Today, it is a protected open-air museum in Alvdal. The complex lies north of the centre between the Glomma and the Rørosbanen railway line and consists of 18 buildings. They represent the typical building style of Nord-Østerdal from 1650 to 1850. Husantunet therefore focuses on historic buildings and regional building traditions, while Huset Aukrust is primarily devoted to art and stories.

When visiting Husantunet, you can use KulturPunkt, a digital guide with audio clips, texts and images. These different formats complement the buildings with information you can listen to and read. For families, this makes it possible to combine a walk around the site with different ways of exploring its history: some may be especially interested in the buildings, while others prefer to listen to or read additional content. The 18 buildings and the period from 1650 to 1850 provide a concrete focus on the region’s building traditions.

Railway History and a Summer Experience

The Rørosbanen railway is also part of Alvdal’s history. Lille-Elvedalen station opened in 1877 after the railway was completed; architect Peter Andreas Blix designed the station building in the Swiss style. Alvdal station is in the centre of Alvdal, in Steia, and forms the heart of the historic station town of Lille-Elvedalen.

A very different experience awaits during the summer season: in Alvdal, visitors can travel to the moon aboard the La Pollo XIII rocket and receive an astronaut certificate. The rocket journey is a striking contrast to the art museum, farm complex and railway history. Families who want to include an imaginative activity alongside cultural discoveries can consider adding this seasonal attraction to their plans.

Alvdal Between Art and History

If you’d like to broaden your search to another destination, discover Grimsbu.

For the broader travel overview: Alvdal.