Founded in 1789, Vardø is the oldest town in northern Norway. The first settlement in Vardø dates back to the 1330s when Håkon Magnusson had Vardøhus Fort built to defend Norway’s eastern border. Today’s fort is the most northerly in the world, and was completed in 1738.
In the 17th century some of the worst witch trials in northern Europe were held in Vardø. Almost 80 women were sentenced to death by burning for practicing witchcraft and magic. In August 1944 the Allies bombed the town. Although much of the town burnt down many buildings did not succumb to the flames. Pomor trade was conducted from 1740 until the Russian Revolution in 1917. Vardø was often called the Pomor capital. Today Vardø has around 2 000 inhabitants.
HIGHLIGHTS VARDØ
Steilneset Memorial The monument is a memorial to those who were found guilty of witchcraft and burnt at the stake in Vardø.
The monument is the result of a partnership between sculptor Louise Bourgeois and architect Peter Zumthor. It stands on the site where the witches were burnt, Steilneset on Vardøya.
Hornøya is a popular place for birdwatchers. This is a unique location with a population of Arctic seabirds, including several species that can only be found here. You can even take pictures of the birds up close!
Vardø port organise 4 trips a day to Hornøya, and 2 on weekends during the season. Tickets are available at the office of Vardø port.
Fishing and angeling
Vardø Port also arrange fishing trips, where you can experience real fishing in the Barents Sea.
The first fortifications on Vardøya Island were built as early as 1307 by King Håkon V Magnusson to protect the north-easternmost reaches of the Norwegian realm. During the Middle Ages, both Sweden and the Republic of Novgorod had interests in and around the Barents Sea, so it was important for Norway to highlight its sovereignty.
Vardø restored
The driving forces behind the Vardø Restored project are local people who wish to alter the future of their town and their region. As the buildings are being restored, new businesses are emerging and old businesses are being brought back to life. And through this work, local pride and optimism towards the future is being restored as well. Everything is a story!
Kiberg
The fishing village of Kiberg south of Vardø is a traditional fishing village with long-term links with Russia. During World War II, 45 young people from Kiberg escaped German occupation and went across the Varanger fjord to Russia. They got training, and returned to work in intelligence. 18 of them survived the war, and 17 returned to Kiberg. At the inauguration of the Partisan memorial, the King apologised for the way the partisans had been treated. The Partisan Museum in Kiberg tells the whole story.
Drakkar
This raw and great monument looking at Skagen in Vardø. You see the remains of a Viking ship, a dinosaur and a whale in the pose of the sky. He guards Bussesundet and show the way so that people at sea can continue to find their way to Vardø. In your imagination do you see he comes roaring up from the raging sea
The road between Vardø and Hamningberg Driving along this road is a new experience, and the stretch is an attraction in itself with its unique landscape.
On the way to the abandoned fishing village of Hamningberg, you can see obvious geological traces of tectonic plate movements of the Earth’s surface, the work of the ice during the various Ice Ages, the former sea floor and shoreline, etc. Hamningberg is one of Europe’s Northernmost points.
The fishing village of Kiberg south of Vardø is a traditional fishing village with long-term links with Russia. During World War II, 45 young people from Kiberg escaped German occupation and went across the Varanger fjord to Russia. They got training, and returned to work in intelligence. 18 of them survived the war, and 17 returned to Kiberg. At the inauguration of the Partisan memorial, the King apologised for the way the partisans had been treated. The Partisan Museum in Kiberg tells the whole story.
Varanger is the world’s easiest accessible arctic birding destination. In Varanger you have the northern taiga, tundra and arctic coastline in one destination.
Within a day’s drive, you can experience the pine grosbeaks in the taiga, and see a wide variety of spcies on the tundra of the Varanger peninsula.
Streetart in Vardø
Komafest was street art and graffiti event organized in Vardo, Norway. Vardo is located in Norways North-Eastern city. Traditionally a fishing community, the towns population was halved between 1960 and 2000. After securing the cooperation of local developers in the spring of 2012, the project began to obtain permission from individual property owners for the decoration of buildings.
The name «Komafest» plays on the concept of the house, woke up from slumber to activity.
Nordpol Kro is one of the oldest pubs in Norway, established in 1864. The main building is made of timber from Archangelsk and built during Pomorian times. This is a pub with a cosy atmosphere and an environment that reflects the history of Vardø.
Nordpol Kro serve light lunches and homemade pizza. Scene Nordpol is known for its concerts and great entertainment.
National scenic route Varanger is about the long lines in the landscape as well as the long lines of history. Varanger is perhaps the most exotic stretch. A trip along the route leading to the Arctic Ocean will reveal natural surroundings full of contrasts, and the lunar landscape out towards Hamningberg in many ways feels like this is a journey to the world’s end.
The Varanger Peninsula National Park stretches across the Varanger Peninsula between Syltefjord and Varangerfjord. The park was established in 2006 to preserve the most Arctic area of the Norwegian mainland. Special and unique landscapes and topology formed in the Ice Age can be found here, along with flora and fauna with eastern and Arctic features. It is also a key area for Arctic foxes and unique Sami cultural artefacts.
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GETTING HERE
VARDØ @ YOUTUBE
ENQUIRY FOR ADVENTURES
VISIT VARANGER
Greater Arctic Norway AS
visitvaranger (a) gmail.com
+ 47 938 24 248
Vadsø, Arctic Norway
VADSØ , VARANGER ARCTIC NORWAY
BOOK A NIGHT OR TWO IN THE ICEHOUSE
Probably one of the coolest accommodation in Varanger