Kjerringøy Trading Post
Nordland
Kjerringøy Trading Post is a unique open-air museum located in Nordland, Norway, preserving a complete historical trading post with 15 original buildings. Established in the late 1700s, it flourished as a center for fish trade, particularly during the 19th century herring boom, becoming one of the richest merchant posts in Northern Norway. The site includes authentic merchant houses, a main house with rare French wallpaper and period furnishings, and maritime exhibits featuring one of the oldest preserved Nordland boats from 1820. Visitors can explore the preserved interiors of the general store (Kramboden) with original goods from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The trading post played a significant role in regional commerce, linking fishers from Lofoten and Nordland with markets in Bergen and beyond. Today, it is run by the Nordland Museum, offering guided tours and cultural events that bring to life the vibrant history of coastal trade and daily life in Northern Norway’s past.
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Tip: The best time to visit Kjerringøy Trading Post is during the summer season when guided tours and cultural events are available. It is recommended to book tickets in advance due to limited capacity. Accessibility accommodations include ramps and wheelchair access to key buildings upon prior notice. Visitors can also enjoy the onsite café and shop nostalgic souvenirs. Reaching Kjerringøy involves a short ferry from Festvåg to Misten, followed by a 15-minute drive. Parking is available near the local church opposite the museum.
Interesting facts
- •Kjerringøy Trading Post consists of 15 fully restored buildings, representing a complete historical merchant post.
- •The site includes one of the oldest preserved Nordland boats dating from 1820.
- •Merchant Erasmus Zahl, who led the post during its heyday, became one of the wealthiest businessmen in Northern Norway.
- •The trading post was a key hub for buying fish from Lofoten and selling it in Bergen and other markets.
- •The main house features rare French wallpaper and period furniture, preserved as if left yesterday.
History
Kjerringøy Trading Post originated in the late 18th century as a skipper’s haven and market place.
It grew significantly under Christian Lorentzen Sverdrup from 1803, who expanded the business and infrastructure.
The peak of prosperity came under Erasmus Zahl in the late 19th century, when the post became one of the wealthiest in Northern Norway, driven by booming fish trade and shipping.
After Zahl's death in 1900, the business gradually declined and ceased commercial operations by the late 1950s.
The Nordland Museum acquired and restored the site starting in 1959, preserving it as a cultural heritage museum.
Place Guide
Main House19th century
The central building of the trading post featuring a unique interior with rare French wallpaper and dreamlike canopy beds, preserved to evoke the atmosphere of the 19th century merchant lifestyle.
Kramboden (General Store)19th century
An original 19th and early 20th-century store interior where remnants of goods still stand on shelves, offering a glimpse into historical commerce and daily life at the trading post.
Heimbrygga and Stornaustet (Maritime Exhibits)1820 (boat)
Exhibition spaces dedicated to maritime heritage, including several unique boats and ships, notably a Nordland boat from 1820, one of the oldest surviving vessels of its kind.
Contact
Phone: 91 00 64 43
