The old wooden settlement Gamle Lærdalsøyri
„161 small houses close together....“ – this is how Bishop Pontoppidan described the old wooden settlement Lærdalsøyri on a journey through Lærdal in 1749. Until around 1860, trade and traffic experienced a boom in Lærdalsøyri and it was a hub between east and west Norway.
”161 small houses close together....” is how Bishop Pontoppidan saw Lærdalsøyri on a journey through Lærdal in 1749.
Many of the houses remains as it was then. They have held up well, and that may well be due to the dry climate we have in Lærdal, which has the lowest annual rainfall in Western Norway. The area includes a built environment with 170 listed buildings. You can wander into history in the narrow streets, and dream away about what life was like for the people on Lærdalsøyri, several hundred years back in time. The old marina, which has been named "Løytnantsbryggja", still has 7 of the 9 original buildings that were built there. It really is a sight for the eyes when the image is reflected in the water. "Bryggja" is named after Lt. Hans Lem, who distinguished himself during the Swedish War 1807- 09.
He lived in Årdalstangen, but when there was an excursion on Lærdalsøyri in the summer, he had to be there. Then he lived at the lieutenant's loft, the top floor of one of the boathouses.
Gamlegata still holds the buzz in the historic area. There are many stores and cafes to visit, such as Smak of Sogn, Galleri 13 and Fredag & Fretland. Gamle Lærdalsøyre has a conservation status and you will find the pleasant houses plus more, only 400 meters away from the holiday park.
