Download GPX file for this article
68.216714.4833Full screen dynamic map

From Wikivoyage
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Kabelvaag is a village in Vågan municipality on the southern shore of Austvågøy island, one of the Lofoten island group in the county of Nordland, Northern Norway.

Understand

Kabelvåg lies a little to the south-west of Svolvær, the administrative center of Vågan municipality. The village was founded as Vågan in the early 12th century by King Øystein Magnusson, who built a church and a fishermen's hostel there. According to Heimskringla, there was something resembling a town there several centuries earlier — the first known town in North Norway, known as Vågar. The Lofoten Museum, as well as the Lofoten Aquarium ([1]) and the Espolin Gallery, are all located in Kabelvåg. Kabelvåg in history

The oldest traces of settlement in Kabelvåg are from the later stoneage. Though there are traces of human activity as far back as the earlier stoneage. While modern day Vågan municipality was generally evenly populated in the stone age there are only sparse traces of settlements in the area now known as Kabelvåg during the ironage. During the middleages however the settlement in the area (known as Vågan) experienced a rise in importance. Mostly because of the "Lofotfiske" which mostly takes part in a part of the sea known as Hølla which is an area between modern day Kabelvåg, Svolvær and Skrova.

As long as anyone has known Northern Atlantic Cod has come to Lofoten to spawn. When it comes it this creates an extreme increase in fish density making the fishing during this period very successful. A result of the "Lofotfiske" is that there became large amounts of fish available in need of storage. This led to the drying and salting of fish. Due to the special weather of the Lofoten islands it's an ideal place to make the product known as tørrfisk (direct translation: dried fish). During the Middle Ages this dried fish became a very important commodity in the Catholic countries of Southern Europe, and the backbone of the local economy. According to historians, dried cod from Nordland in the 13th century accounted for 80% of all of Norway's exports.

Get in

Get around

See

  • Lofotkatedralen. Kabelvåg church
  • Galleri Espolin.

Do

  • Galleri Lille Kabelvåg. Paintings, pictures and other exciting exhibitions
  • Lofotakvariet. At the Lofoten Aquarium you have the chance to study our exiting marine life, with fish and sea mammals from Lofoten and the North Norwegian coastline
  • Lofotmuseet. At the Lofotmuseum you can explore authentic environments from the 1800s,in a beautiful scenic setting.

Buy

  • Fru Soleng. Knitting and decorations
  • Mettes Rom. Clothing,gifts and decorations.

Eat

  • Cafe&bar Nicolina. Cozy Italian cafe and bar. Great coffee and homemade food.

Drink

  • Cafe & Bar Nicolina. Espresso,Cortado and cafe Latte.

Wine,Beer,Drinks.

Sleep

  • Kabelvåg Hotell. Rooms,Breakfast and a smile :)
  • Kabelvåg Feriehus & Camping.
  • Lofoten Rorbusuiter. Fantastic sea view and view of Lofoten’s mightiest mountain, Vågakallen (942 m asl) together with the historical site of Storvågan
  • Lofoten Summerhotell. We are centrally located in the Lofoten Islands, a short distance to all the delights. We have activities that take advantage of our unique area to the fullest, with very pleasant and competent guides.

Connect

Go next


This city travel guide to Kabelvåg is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!