Perhaps there are not many places on the whole Earth whose absolute beauty everyone who has been there speaks about. But the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway are definitely among them. Here, eternal ice meets an ocean storm, and the weather changes literally every five minutes.
The main feature of the Lofoten Islands is their remoteness from any tourist routes. Just 20 years ago, the archipelago was a godforsaken place, inhabited only by fishermen, but everything changed in 2007, when the E-10 highway was built, connecting the islands with the mainland. The Norwegian government decided to quickly recoup the costs of building the route and began a real PR campaign for Lofoten as the main tourist attraction - and, in general, it was right. Half of the residents of the archipelago are now employed in the service sector, many rent out their homes to tourists and willingly show off the local beauty.
March is considered one of the best seasons to travel to Lofoten: the days are already quite long and bright, you can still catch the northern lights at night, and hordes of tourists have not yet filled all available accommodation options. It's also Atlantic cod fishing season. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit there, and found fellow travelers to the islands through the Tromso Facebook community of international students while I was studying at the Arctic University of Norway, and we went on a four-day trip with a cosmopolitan group of Ukrainian, Spanish, Dutch, Hungarian and American women.
Transport
There are only a few ways to get to Lofoten: by plane, ferry, or car. There are two airports on the archipelago itself: Leknes and Evenes, which are connected to major cities in Norway by Wideroe airlines. One one-way ticket will cost about € 90. You can also go from Narvik or Bodo to Svolvær (the main city of the archipelago) for € 130. Or, as in our case, rent a car in the nearest large city and drive 500 km to the islands along the most beautiful mountain highway E6, nicknamed the “road of the northern lights”.
Transport in Lofoten is developed in a very unique way. You can get there from anywhere and everywhere, but there are options when only one bus a day goes to the desired direction, with no way to return. Therefore, renting a car remains virtually no alternative option. In addition to the traditional Sixt, Europcar and Avis, in Norway there is a service called Rent-a-Wreck, which works like Airbnb and allows you to save a lot of money. Four days of renting a comfortable hatchback cost us €350.
“The smell of cod drying in the frosty wind is a little shocking at first, but it adds a great atmosphere to this amazing place.”
Housing
The classic accommodation in Lofoten are the red rorbu fishermen's houses, standing right by the water. We, like true students, chose the most budget rorba on all Airbnb, and got an amazing view of the fjord in the Leknes area (a city in the central part of the archipelago), proximity to real fishermen and a treat with freshly caught cod from the owner of the house. As it turned out later, our accommodation option was incredibly successful, since there was not a single flooring for drying fish near our rorbu... In the Norwegian language there is even a separate word denoting the very smell of cod that is drying in the frosty wind, and this word has the root “ lofote." And although the smell is a little shocking at first, it greatly adds to the atmosphere of this amazing place.
Attractions
The entire archipelago is one continuous attraction. There is a list of must-see places: the villages of Reine or Henningsvaer, the beaches of Ukland and Ramberg, and the end of the road in the village with the laconic name O. It is photos from these places that most often appear in queries and tags “Lofoten Islands”. When planning your route, you should prepare for the fact that the best viewing platforms will be occupied by tourists with advanced photographic equipment, and drones will constantly buzz overhead.
We agreed that it is the forgotten fishing villages, where you can take truly unusual pictures on deserted beaches, that best convey the spirit of these places. For example, from the famous Ukland beach there is a road through a tunnel to the village of Uttakelv, where a dozen fishermen's houses and red barns stand, cut off from the rest of the world, right at the foot of huge black rocks. And the village of Eggum lies on the border of a national park, home to thousands of species of birds, and where in good weather you can watch pairs of eagles hunting. There is also a small bastion, which was built by the Nazis in 1943 to house the Allied fleet. From May to October there is a small exhibition at the bottom of the bastion.
The exhibition at the Viking Museum Lofotr is very interesting. The history of the museum is very simple: in the 70s, a local farmer was plowing his field with a new tractor and suddenly discovered the remains of a Viking dwelling from a thousand years ago, with all the artifacts like coins, chain mail, helmets and two-handed swords. Today the dwelling has been restored, and thanks to the runes on the stones, it has been revealed that the house once belonged to the family of a disgraced Viking leader who resisted the adoption of Christianity and eventually sailed away to discover Iceland. The more traditional part of the exhibition will tell you about this, then the “leader’s house” itself offers you to feel like a real Varangian: you can hold swords, check the comfort of the clothes and helmets of that time, learn how to weave and carve your name with runes on a tree, and much more. In the summer there are even more activities, including a blacksmith's workshop and sword lessons. Ticket price for an adult is € 17.
“The history of the museum is very simple: in the 70s, a local farmer was plowing his field with a new tractor and suddenly discovered the remains of Viking dwellings from a thousand years ago.”
Another discovery is the village of Nusfjord, halfway between tourist Reine and Leknes: twenty yellow and red houses are literally squeezed into a narrow valley, fishing boats unload in a tiny port, and in the only cafe they prepare aromatic potato soup with cod and dishes from the fresh catch.
Geologists say that the Lofoten Islands are one of the oldest mountain systems in the world. Perhaps this is why these steep cliffs bursting straight out of the ocean, mountain gorges and glaciers are so shocking with their grandeur and make us think, no matter how pathetic it may sound, about our place on this planet.
Weather
Because Lofoten stretches almost 300 kilometers west of mainland Norway, the climate here is extremely variable and unpredictable. Cloudy weather just as easily turns into a blizzard as it does into the serene radiance of the March sun. But the advantage of traveling in the off-season is that half an hour is enough to wait out the bad weather and again enjoy the fantastic scenery.
Budget
The best option for a trip to Lofoten is in a group of 4-5 people; the trip budget will be reduced to a minimum if you share the car rental, gasoline, and accommodation in a rorbu cottage among everyone, and cook on your own. Tickets on the route Kyiv - Gdansk - Tromso - Gdansk - Kyiv will cost approximately € 150 per person, depending on the days of the week and current Wizz Air discounts.
Despite the rather remote location, a huge number of tourists from all over the world come to the Lofoten Islands every year to enjoy the harsh beauty of the northern nature. They all find something of their own here. Some were tired of the annual ritual reclining on the warm sand of the southern seas, others watched a documentary and were impressed by the fantastic landscapes of mountain ranges reflected in the surface of the sea. Everyone has their own love story for Lofoten, and it is stronger than long flights, unstable Scandinavian weather and obscenely high Norwegian prices.
The varied landscape of this Northern paradise allows you to have a great time: go mountain hiking, skiing, or rafting down a mountain river. No joke, this is the northernmost surfing spot in the world and one of the best surfing spots in Norway.
Story
People came here relatively recently - 6000 years ago. At that time, living conditions in Lofoten were very favorable - a cool but generally mild climate, a huge amount of fish in the sea and game in the mountains. The islands, rocky today, were then literally buried in coniferous and deciduous forests. And although over time the climate changed, becoming more severe, people did not leave their no longer so cozy, but still home.
The archipelago borrows the old name of the island of Vestvogey, which was formerly called Lofoten. Lofoten is translated from Old Norse as “lynx foot”. Probably, to the inhabitants of that time, the shape of the island resembled the foot of a lynx.
The history of the Lofoten Islands is closely connected with fishing in general and cod fishing in particular. The first fishermen's houses, or rorbu, were built here in 1120 by order of King Oystein. Despite the riches of the Norwegian Sea, the locals eked out a miserable existence. The fact is that most of the rorbu belonged to feudal lords, who rented them out during the season along with gear and food supplies. Fishermen paid for the use of the rorbu with almost all of their catch, receiving in return a symbolic payment. It was almost impossible to break out of this vicious circle, because there was no talk of buying land and building a small shack on it - we would have to live until next year.
Today Lofoten fishermen are very wealthy people, and almost everyone has their own rorbu (often more than one). True, the houses are mainly rented out to tourists. Moreover, the price for an overnight stay in a rorbu is an order of magnitude higher than in a regular hotel.
How to get there
Despite the apparent distance from civilization, the Lofoten Islands have excellent transport links. As a rule, most tourists first arrive in the city of Bodo, which is connected by bus, train and air routes to the largest Norwegian cities. Ferries and planes and helicopters depart from Bodo to Lofoten.
Average cost of a 1.5-hour flight on the route Oslo-Garduen - Bodo: 460 NOK. A half-hour flight between Bodo and Leknes (a city on the largest island of the Vestvogei archipelago) will cost 350 NOK. A ticket for the Bodo - Moskenes ferry costs 196 NOK, travel time: 3 hours. Prices on the page are for April 2019.
Accommodation
The Lofoten Islands have a wide range of accommodation options. You can stay in a regular chain hotel - the cost of a double room starts from 800 NOK. But to feel the atmosphere of this place, it is better to rent a rorba equipped with all amenities. Many of these red wooden houses are located along the coast. True, renting an authentic rorbu costs quite a lot: 1200 NOK per night. The cheapest accommodation option in the Lofoten Islands is camping: a house or tent site will cost 240 NOK.
Entertainment and attractions
External provincialism should not be misleading. The islands have a huge amount of entertainment, many museums, tourist walking and cycling routes, a large selection of cafes and restaurants.
Lofoten is primarily about fishing. Even in winter, lovers of a good catch come here. There are especially many fishermen in early spring, when the cod fishing season begins, one of the symbols of Norway. You can buy a fishing tour on the open sea at any tourist center.
The local restaurants, which offer simple but very tasty dishes of Northern Norwegian cuisine, primarily cod, are also considered real attractions. By the way, Norwegians prefer this fish dried as a snack. But to prepare more complex dishes, it is soaked.
Often soaking turns into a complex and lengthy process. First, the fish “rests” for a week in a soda solution, and then for another 3 days in clean water. After such manipulations, the meat acquires a very tender structure.
If you want to see fish not on a plate, but in real life, you should visit the island of Austvogea. Here in the village of Kabelvåg there is an aquarium, in which 23 aquariums display the typical fauna of the Norwegian Sea, from mammals to small fish.
The Viking lifestyle is presented in detail at the Lofotr Museum. Its main exhibit is the 83 m long house. Olaf Twennumbruni, the last Viking king, lived here. The interior has been recreated with amazing precision. There is a blacksmith shop and a small farm at the museum, and longships stand at the pier, harmoniously complementing the northern landscape.
In the town of Nysfjord you can visit an old fishing village consisting of houses built at the end of the 19th century. For more than 100 years, these beautiful buildings have never been restored.
About the islands. In these places you can look at the northern lights, enjoy unity with nature, try your luck at fishing, and try the well-known dried Atlantic cod made by Lofoten. And also visit many interesting places.
Near these islands is the Maelstrom whirlpool, which has become world famous thanks to the work of great artists and writers. For example, Edgar Allan Poe's story "Descent into the Maelstrom" tells about the rescue of a fisherman whose schooner was sucked into a whirlpool.
maelstrom whirlpool This whirlpool was also mentioned in the novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” by Jules Verne, when Professor Aronnax and his companions escaped from the Nautilus, and the submarine began to spin in this whirlpool.
The harsh beauty of the Lofoten Islands was glorified in his paintings by a native of the islands, the famous Norwegian artist Gunnar Berg (1863 -1893)
artist Gunnar Berg (1863 -1893) The Lofoten Islands are an archipelago in the Norwegian Sea off the northwestern coast of Norway. The area of the archipelago is 1227 km². The population is 24,014 people (06/01/2013). The main occupations of local residents are fishing and sheep breeding.
Getting to the islands has become easier in our time - on December 1, 2007, the E10 road (Lofast project) was opened, connecting the largest islands of the archipelago with the Norwegian mainland. The construction of the road included the construction of several tunnels and bridges, including one of the largest frame-cantilever bridges - the Raftsundet Bridge
The coastline of the Lofoten Islands is indented with bays and comfortable beaches, and the main feature of a holiday on the Lofoten Islands is silence, tranquility, privacy, wild and untouched nature. Prices for holidays here are high, the weather is unpredictable, but even this cannot spoil a tourist’s holiday among the gorgeous landscapes.
All the most necessary services that will be useful to you while traveling,
Things to do and see in Lofoten
Whale Safari. Have you ever seen whales? Do you know that on average the weight of this animal is 100-150 tons? For example, the weight of an elephant is from 2 to 7 tons. So, if anyone wants to see this beautiful animal in nature, then there is no better place for a whale safari than the Lofoten Islands. From spring to early autumn, killer whales and sperm whales hunt here. Huge animals swim next to the boats without fear. And in the winter months they are clearly visible from the shore.
In the town of Annenes, Lofoten (where the airport is also located) there is a whale center and a thematic museum. Yachts and boats depart from here for whale safari. It is enough to move a few kilometers from the shore and the whales will be at a distance of several meters from the boat. And in winter there is a chance to see sperm whales.
By the way, according to statistics, in 96% of cases tourists see whales jumping out of the water. If the tourists are from those 4% of unsuccessful cases, then the tour organizer conducting the safari takes the tourists out again at any convenient time or returns the money.
Since 1986, there has been a worldwide ban on commercial whaling, but in cafes and restaurants on the Lofoten Islands you can try whale meat, since Norway has not signed a ban on whaling.
Fishing in Lofoten Islands
Fishing here will please even an experienced fisherman. The water off the coast of Norway never freezes, so you can fish all year round. The most active bite occurs during high tide and within half an hour after low tide.
The most favorable conditions for fishing occur from the second half of April to mid-October. In spring, cod comes to the coast of the islands to spawn. At this time, fish weighing from 15 to 20 kg are caught. The average weight of caught fish fluctuates around 4-10 kilograms. The Lofoten Islands are an ideal place for deep sea fishing. At a depth of about 30 meters, pollock, mink, flounder, haddock, etc. live. And if you fish at a depth of 80 meters, you can catch monkfish, moth and sea bass.
Fishing by month. April-May is an excellent period for fishing for cod, catfish, and haddock; In summer, pollock, stingray, mackerel, moth, halibut, flounder, salmon, trout, and herring are well caught. In the fall, large “trophy” fish are caught here, but you need to take into account the unpredictability and severity of the local weather - storms begin to rage here from the end of September.
For fishing in Lofoten, you can stay at one of the many fishing bases, rent a watercraft and the necessary equipment. There are also special instructors who are willing to take you on a fishing trip for an additional fee.
By the way, fishing has always been very important for the local population, and in 1103, King Oystein built a church in the town of Vaughan, where people who went out to sea would pray for a successful catch.
Surfing in the Lofoten Islands. Cold water surfing is gaining momentum around the world. First of all, this is due to the development of technology and the use of special wetsuits. Surfing features in Lofoten include cold water throughout the year; but the climatic conditions themselves are as comfortable as possible for training. And after surfing, you can fully warm up in the sauna.
In winter, the air temperature here varies from 0 to +10 degrees, while in summer the air warms up to +30 degrees. From the end of May to mid-July there is no night on the islands (white nights) - the sun does not set beyond the horizon.
Museums
Lofotr Viking Museum (official website). This is an impressive, unique reconstruction of a settlement from the Viking Age (8th to 11th centuries). Reconstructions are carried out here and you can actually plunge into the brutal and cruel world of the Vikings. Experience how Olaf Twennumbruni, the last Viking leader, lived.
The 83-meter-long dwelling has a honey hall and a bedchamber. Here, the design and appearance of the premises have been restored with the greatest possible accuracy.
After visiting the house where the leader lived, you can walk around the farm, visit the forge, and see Viking ships. Tours are conducted by guides dressed in historical costumes. The museum is located near Bøstad, in the village of Borg.
Museum of dried fish. Here in Lofoten there is the world's only museum of dried cod. Cod lives in the North Atlantic Ocean. For Norwegians, cod is not only one of the most common, but also economically important types of fish. Fish oil is extracted from cod and the roe is dried and dried. . This fish helped save the local population from hungry winter days. On the Lofoten Islands, dried fish has not only become the basis of the economy, it has been elevated to the rank of a symbol, traditions have developed around it, and folklore is developing.
The museum was founded in 1989 and is part of an authentic, colorful fishing village in the style of the 18th century. All events organized here are carried out in the spirit of national traditions and reflect the life of Norwegian fishermen of the last two hundred years.
Museum of Fishing Villages. It is located here, in this village. The museum contains features of the everyday life of Norwegian fishermen, as well as the history of fishing on the Lofoten Islands over the past 250 years. The exhibition consists of many objects: boats, gear and dried cod, a bakery from 1844, where fragrant cinnamon rolls are sold in the summer. A forge, a fisherman's family house and a fisherman's house "rorbu" on stilts. The exhibition includes displays: “The largest cod catch in the world”; "The Long History of Fish Oil"; "Valuable goods for 1000 years"; "Social Classes" of the fisherman's and squire's family's home; "Hard and dangerous life"; “Every bit counts”; "Kuznets" production of lamps, fish oil and knives; "Bakery"
The museum is located in the village of O (Norwegian Å - “stream”) - a village in the commune of Moskenes, in the very west of the archipelago. The E10 highway starts in O and ends in the city of Luleå in Sweden. The Norwegian part of the route is usually called "King Olav V's Road"
Lofoten Aquarium (The Lofoten Aquarium - official website)
The Lofoten Aquarium in Kabelvåg is not just an aquarium. It is a fenced area of the ocean with natural shores, divided into 23 fragments. There are aquariums no more than a meter high, others occupy entire walls, and tourists stroll with interest, looking at unusual fish.
The aquarium is interesting for both adults and children. The passages and halls are shrouded in twilight, and the surface of the water is skillfully illuminated, allowing you to see the depth. In aquariums you can see huge crabs, deep-sea fish and glow-in-the-dark fish. Otters and beavers live in open areas. In other pools you can interact with seals and fur seals. On the second floor of the building there is a cafe and a spacious observation deck with breathtaking views of the open ocean.
Henningsvær Art Gallery (Lofoten)
The fishing village of Henningsvær (Norwegian Henningsvær), in the commune of Vågan, is home to the Lofoten Art Gallery, which, despite its location, boasts the largest collection of Norwegian authors, such as Otto Sinding, Gunnar Berg, Einar Berger and many others. The gallery also includes an interactive slide show of Magical island by renowned photographer and artist Frank Jensen, who captured the changing seasons in various locations on the Lofoten Islands.
More than a hundred unique exhibits are located on three floors of the gallery. In one of the halls, an ancient Viking boat found during archaeological excavations on the Lofoten Islands is exhibited. The gallery also has a separate room of photographs taken in Norway in the 30s.
Henningsvær
Henningsvær is a fishing village near the island of Austvågøya, part of the Lofoten archipelago. The indigenous population here is home to approximately 400 people, but the streets can be crowded: there are many tourists here, who are attracted not only by the colorful atmosphere of a typical fishing village, but also by delicious seafood dishes.
Henningsvær is a transit point between two large islands and the main tourist routes. Some tourists spend a couple of hours here to have a snack, rest and admire the views. Walking through the streets of Henningsvär between the houses on stilts, you get a feeling of amazing calm, leisurely, regularity and tranquility. Even from the pier you can see fish, starfish and shellfish, despite the depth of over eight meters - the water is crystal clear.
Like all fishing villages, Henningsvær is famous for its fish dishes. Stopping here in a cozy cafe or restaurant, you can try delicious fish soup with cream, or mussels in milk.
Natural attractions
The nature of this region fascinates with its majestic pristineness: gigantic rocks protrude directly from the water onto the land. There's a lot to see here
Walks along the coast and mountains. Mountains and mountaineeringMountaineering is well developed on the Lofoten Islands.
The best time for hiking is summer, when there is a polar day on the islands. Night hiking (long walk, hike) in the mountains is an incomparable adventure. There are many tourist routes on the islands, each of which will bring a lot of impressions and emotions. The most spectacular routes on the island of Eustvogøy. In the center of the island there is Mount Runnfjellet, with incredible views from its top.
You can climb other mountains: Fløya - the climb is difficult, from the top you can see the entire capital - Svolvær; Reinebringen – the climb is steep, but from the top you can see the islands up to the island of Hamnøy and the village of Reine; Stolva – height approximately 750 meters.
view from Mount Reinebringen You can also test your endurance while climbing to the icy peaks. Optimal routes have been developed on the islands of Austvøya and Moskenøya. Cycling is also common in these areas and there are dedicated cycling routes. On the day of the summer solstice, cycling competitions are held here every year, but participants have to overcome all the islands of the archipelago.
Maelstrom Maelstrom.
As mentioned above, near the island of Moskenøya there is a unique natural phenomenon - the Maelstrom whirlpool, which was formed as a result of the meeting of several rapid currents. The first mention of Maelstrom is found in the studies of the Greek scientist Pytheas 2 thousand years ago. Since then, the whirlpool has been marked on all nautical charts.
maelstrom whirlpool
Northern lights- another natural phenomenon for which tourists from all over the world come to the Lofoten Islands. This is where the northern lights belt begins. When choosing an observation location, consider several factors:
The optimal conditions for viewing the northern lights are: dry air, clear skies and the absence of the Moon in the sky. The best time for observation is from 22-00 to 00-00; it is advisable to move away from the city and, above all, away from electric lighting. On the island of Austvogøya, Lofoten archipelago, in the town of Laukvik there is a Northern Lights Center.
Eagle hunting.
A unique natural phenomenon that can be seen when arriving on the islands is the hunting of eagles. Ships take tourists to a place where eagles hunt fish. When the guides start throwing fish overboard, these magnificent birds soaring in the air, like stones, fall into the water and pick up the fish with their claws. This sight makes an indelible impression. Birds are at arm's length from tourists, and the site claims that when a bird flies with a wingspan of 2.5 meters or more, it is difficult to find words.
The city of Svolvær is the capital of the Lofoten Islands.
Founded in the 8th century and located near Goat Mountain. During the summer months, Trollfjord tours depart from here ( Trollfjorden — narrow branch of the Raftsund Strait).
Magic Ice Sculpture Park in Svolvær.
The park, which is a hall of about 300 square meters filled with snow and ice, tells the story of the nature, lifestyle and traditions of the Lofoten Islands through installations and sculptures made of ice, as well as graphics, light and sound design. Here you can learn about shipwrecks and fishing trophies, about trolls and sea ghosts, about local superstitions and laws.
It is known from history that in the Middle Ages in Lofoten there were clashes between supporters of cod fishing with a line and one hook and those who set up lines and used nets. In 1644, King Christian IV, the owner of all rorbu, banned saddles and nets, but since 1786 fishermen were allowed to fish with all gear.
Nowadays, on the Lofoten Islands, fishermen themselves decide where to fish with nets, where with nets, observing the main law of fishing: to fish in strictly designated areas, observing the cod fishing season - January, February and March, when the fish comes from the Barents Sea to spawn.
Here you can also go kayaking and canoeing, diving and much more, depending on your preferences.
Preparing for your trip to the Lofoten Islands
1. Tickets to the Lofoten Islands - plane, train, bus tickets. First of all, book your transport tickets, since your arrival and departure dates will serve as the determining dates for your hotel booking.
How to get to Lofoten Islands (Norway)?
1. by plane. There are several airports here that receive flights daily, but flights to Svolvar are only with transfers. From Moscow you can fly to Oslo, then to Bodø, and from there to the capital Lofoten - Svolvar. The journey will take at least 8 hours, although the plane flight from Bodø to Svolvár is 20 - 30 minutes. Can be reached by water transport and by car.
2. Housing on the Lofoten Islands. To book a hotel. There are many hotels on the Lofoten Islands and there is always plenty to choose from, but it is also advisable to do this in advance. Remember - Norway is a pretty expensive country. Thrifty tourists need to know - in Norway you can sleep in tents, it is not prohibited, but 150-200 meters from the nearest house.
3. Visa. You can obtain a visa to Norway either independently (embassy, visa center) or with the help of specialized companies. If you do it yourself, then check when to apply for a visa, since when you receive it, you may need to provide documents confirming the purpose of the trip, for example, the purpose of tourism - as proof there will be a hotel reservation.
4. Insurance. All types of insurance are available via the Internet; order an insurance policy online, but only from trusted companies.
5. Transfer (from the airport), car rental, etc.. You can view and order from the most famous, proven and reliable companies
For Norwegians, the Lofoten Islands are a remote region located above the Arctic Circle, which, however, is quite easy to get to. The residents themselves are sure that there is no better place in the world than their islands. Tourists come here from all over the world to see the intricately rugged coastline and learn about the history of Lofoten, which played an important role in the life of the Vikings.
The Lofoten Islands are an archipelago consisting of 200 km north of the Arctic Circle.
IN THE EMBRACE OF WARM CURRENTS
The warm climate of the Lofoten Islands, which is not typical for such latitudes, was formed due to its proximity to three warm currents of the North Atlantic Ocean.
This chain of islands is located in the Norwegian Sea off the northwestern coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The islands are separated from the mainland by the Vestfjord Bay, forming a 170-kilometer barrier between the Vestfjord and the North Sea. Hence their unofficial name - Lofotveggen, or Lofoten Wall.
The archipelago includes seven large and dozens of small islands.
The largest is Eustvogoy with an area of over five thousand square kilometers (it contains the highest mountain of the archipelago - Higravstinden), three more - Vestvogoy, Moskenesoy and Flakstadoy - over 100 km 2.
The rocky islands are separated by narrow winding straits and connected to each other by bridges and tunnels. The main local road - the western continuation of the European highway EY - stretches across the entire archipelago, ending in the south, on the island of Moskenesøy, in a village with a laconic name of one letter - O, and starting right on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia in .
The relief of the archipelago is mountainous. Some peaks rise up to a kilometer or higher, and they rise almost straight out of the sea, presenting an impressive sight.
The hills are covered with ice and are composed mainly of hard rocks: granites, gneisses, syenites, crystalline schists.
The Lofoten Islands may be the oldest rock formations on Earth, dating back about 3 billion years. The current landscape of the islands was formed 10 thousand years ago with the end of the last ice age.
The shores of all the islands are rocky and indented by small fjords. In some places a narrow coastal strip runs along the sea.
The sea off the coast of the Lofoten Islands does not freeze. The climate, unusually mild for such high latitudes, is formed under the influence of warm currents - the Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic and the Norwegian. Throughout June and July, the sun does not set over the horizon over the islands, and from September to April, the northern lights flicker and shimmer over the islands.
The typical landscape of the Lofoten Islands is mountain tundra and heather, with groves of rowan, birch and coniferous trees.
The sea around the islands is full of whales, including sperm whales and killer whales. The rocks have turned into a large bird market, home to millions of birds: puffins, slender-billed guillemots, cormorants, gray herons, bluethroats, fulmars, gannets and swans. At the foot of the cliffs there are large seal rookeries. The largest land mammals are the otter and the elk.
To the south of the island of Moskenesøy there is the Maelström whirlpool, popular in world fiction, which arises as a result of the contact of tidal waves with protruding forms of the seabed topography, which is extremely complex here, and a highly indented coastline. The “horrors” of the Maelström are quite exaggerated: in fact, it is not a huge funnel that pulls more ships to the bottom, but a system of eddies in the strait. Although in ancient times this could happen to a wooden ship or boat. The real danger of the Maelström is during the maximum tide, with a strong westerly wind, when the direction of the current becomes unpredictable and the ship can break on the rocks of the island of Moskenesøy.
ISLANDS OF DRIED COD
On the Lofoten Islands, dried fish has been elevated to the rank of a symbol, traditions have developed around it and folklore has developed, it has become the basis of the economy and glorified the islands throughout the world.
The first settlements on the Lofoten Islands appeared about 8 thousand years ago, and the Refsvikhula cave with rock paintings that are more than 3 thousand years old was also found.
The name of the islands is originally the old name of the second largest island of the Vestvågøya archipelago. The outline of the island reminded the ancient Vikings of an animal paw print, and Lofoten is translated as “Lynx Paw”: “lo” - lynx, “fotr” - paw, leg. Such names were in use among the Vikings: for example, the name of the neighboring island of Flakstadøya is Varfot, or Wolf's Paw, from “var” - wolf.
The Vikings who settled in Lofoten are believed to have discovered a method for harvesting cod. For these brave travelers, dried cod is very convenient: a kilogram of dried fish has the same nutritional properties as 5 kg of fresh fish, and can be stored for four years.
In 1120, the Norwegian king Øystein I Magnusson, who did a lot for the economic and cultural development of the country at the beginning of the 12th century, built the first rorbu fishing huts in Lofoten and declared himself their owner.
The Middle Ages in Lofoten were marked by clashes between supporters of cod fishing with a line and one hook and those who set up lines and used nets. In 1644, King Christian IV - the owner of all rorbu - banned saddles and nets, but since 1786 fishermen were allowed to fish with all gear.
At the beginning of the 19th century. the kings, in need of money, sold the rorba and the lands around them to rich fishermen. Other fishermen lived in constant debt, working it off by catching fish for rorbu owners 24 days a month.
In 1938, the bondage was destroyed: the Norwegian Storting (parliament) passed the Raw Fish Law: from now on, fishermen themselves set the minimum price for their catch and did not give it to the owners of rorbu, nets and boats at a lower price.
Today on the Lofoten Islands, fishermen decide for themselves where to fish with nets and where with nets, observing the main law of fishing: to fish in a strictly designated place. The cod fishing season is January, February and March, when the fish come from the Barents Sea to spawn.
Life on the islands has always been quite peaceful; wars have avoided them. It was not until 1941 that British commandos carried out Operation Claymore on the islands, destroying German oil storage facilities and factories producing fish oil and glycerin, which the Germans used to produce dynamite.
Nowadays, tourism plays an increasingly important role in the islands' economy, and rorbu fishermen's huts are being converted into tourist lodges. But terrfisk is cod caught during spawning and dried, which has been sold throughout Europe since the 14th century. - traditionally occupies the most important place in the life of the islanders.
They still build stabbur - sheds for drying and storing fish, badstue - bathhouses with an open fireplace and stuvve - residential buildings with a gable roof. Old houses have been preserved, the roofs of which were covered with birch bark and turf and which were overgrown with small trees.
They also engage in sheep farming on the island, but on a limited scale: there is not much grass here.
The largest settlement by local standards is the port of Svolvær on the island of Eustvøgøy, for many centuries a fishing village that managed to establish itself as a city in 1996. The town lives off a pier that receives ferries with tourists and services for the same tourists.
The main historical attraction of the Lofoten Islands is the Lofotr Viking Museum, in the village of Borg, on the island of Vestvågøy. It displays the longest Viking dwelling ever found: the chief's house, 83m long and 9m wide.
ATTRACTIONS
Natural:
■ Trollfjord.
■ Bird markets.
Historical:
■ Site of Stone Age people (Sturbothellaren cave, 5500 years old).
■ Petroglyphs (Refs-vikhula cave, more than 3 thousand years old).
Iconic:
■ Flakstad Church (Flakstadøya, 1780).
■ Gimsøya Church (Gimsøya, 1876).
■ Buksnes Church (Vestvogøy, 1905).
Architectural:
■ Raftsund road bridge (between the islands of Eustvågøy and Hinnøya, 1998).
Cultural:
■ Lofotr Viking Museum (Borge, Vestvågøy).
■ Dried cod museum (O village, Moskenesoy).
■ Museum of the Norwegian Fisherman's Village (O village, Moskenesøy).
City of Svolvær (Eustvøgøy):
■ World War II Memorial Museum.
■ House of artistic creativity.
■ Stig Tobiassen Art Gallery.
■ Ski center Kongstind Alpincenter.
■ Svolver Church (1934).
■ 150-meter-high Swolvergate rock.
FUN FACTS
■ The Maelstrom whirlpool first appears in the atlas of Gerardus Mercator in the 16th century. The most famous works in which a “terrible whirlpool” appeared, dragging ships into the abyss: Edgar Poe’s story “The Descent into the Maelstrom” (1841), Jules Verne’s novel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1869), Louis Jacolliot’s novel “ Robbers of the Seas" (1890).
■ It is generally accepted that mountaineering, so popular today on the Lofoten Islands, appeared in 1889: two local fishermen, either on a dare or because they had nothing better to do, climbed Mount Vagakallen, 942 m high.
■ The name of the village of O is written as A in Norwegian. This letter is also a separate word meaning “river” or “stream”. To distinguish the village of O from other settlements in Scandinavia with the same name, it is usually called O-i-Lofoten, i.e. O-on-Lofoten Islands.
■ The strangest law adopted by the Norwegian authorities for Lofoten was the decree of 1816, according to which each fishing village was assigned a certain time and place for cod fishing. But since the cod did not know this law, it swam freely from one place to another. As a result, some got a lot of fish, others got nothing. Things almost came to an armed revolt by fishermen, and in 1857 the Lofoten Act was repealed, replacing it with the principle “Free waters - free fishing.”
■ Lofoten fishermen are considered the most superstitious in all of Scandinavia and try to follow the signs: you can’t start cod fishing on Friday, you can’t whistle on deck, none of the fishermen should say the word “horse” while fishing and call halibut halibut. In the old days, if a black bird landed on the mast, the fishermen hastily cut off their nets and headed for the shore.
■ Lofoten fishermen catch Atlantic cod (called northeast Arctic cod here). The fish reaches a length of 2 m, weighs up to 96 kg and can live 25 years.
■ Dried Turrfisk cod retains all its nutritional properties, while the weight of dried fish is reduced by three quarters. The fish is not salted at all and is not subjected to any other processing. Cod takes about 2 months to dry. Traditionally, dried Lofoten cod is supplied to Spain, Portugal and Italy.
■ An image of dried cod appeared on the coat of arms of the island and the commune of Vestvågøy: it depicts two dried fish at once.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Norwegian Sea.
Administrative affiliation: Nord-Norge region, Norway.
Cities: Svolver (Eustvo-goy) - 4590 people. (2015).
Language: Norwegian. Ethnic composition: Norwegians.
Religion: Lutheranism (Church of Norway).
Currency: Norwegian krone.
NUMBERS
Area of the archipelago: 1229.53 km2.
Area of the large islands: Eustvågøy - 526.10 km 2 , Vestvågøy - 411.05 km 2 , Moskenesøy - 185.94 km 2 , Flakstadøy - 109.76 km 2 , Gimsøya - 46.36 km 2 , Värøy - 15.74 km 2 and Røst - 3.60 km 2.
Population: 24,178 people. (2015).
Population density: 19.6 people/km 2 .
Highest point: 1161 m, Higravstinden.
CLIMATE
Moderate (with subarctic features) oceanic humid with relatively warm winters and cool summers.
Average January temperature: 0°C.
Average July temperature: +12°C.
Average annual precipitation: up to 800 mm.
Average annual relative humidity: 75%.
ECONOMY
Agriculture: livestock breeding (sheep breeding).
Sea fishing (herring, cod). Fish farming.
Services: tourism, transport, trade.
Above the Arctic Circle, in the harsh waters of the Norwegian Sea, lies the Lofoten archipelago: a land of wild nature, majestic mountains, deep fjords, bustling bird colonies, clear waters and long sandy beaches. These are places where the Vikings once lived, and evidence of those events has been preserved here. In the town of Borg, archaeologists discovered their longest dwelling ever found. The 83-meter structure has been recreated as a living museum of legendary warriors.
Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, the climate in Lofoten is much milder than in other places at the same latitude. From May to July there is a polar day, and from September to mid-April you can see the colorful northern lights. The changeable northern weather and stunning light have long attracted artists here. The AirPano team, which creates 360° panoramas of the most beautiful corners of the planet, also could not ignore these amazing landscapes.
The fishing village of Reine was named the most beautiful village in all of Norway by the Norwegian magazine Allers in the 1970s. The image of the settlement has been repeatedly used on the cover of tourist brochures and guidebooks. The tiny village, covering an area of 0.29 square kilometers, is located under the mountains around the fjord. The sea crashing against the coastal rocks, colorful fishing houses on stilts, picturesque sunrises and sunsets attract thousands of guests here every year.
The small town of Svolvær is one of the world's best whale watching destinations. However, it is famous not only for its nature, but also for its history. Despite the harsh climate, people settled in these areas back in 800 BC: the abundance of fish made it possible not only to feed the family, but also to successfully develop trade. And here, more than 900 years ago, the first Christian church in Northern Norway was built.
You can get acquainted with the traditional architecture of a fishing village in Henningsvær, which lies 20 kilometers southwest of Svolvær, and the small island of Skjåholmen is famous for its 25-meter lighthouse, built at the beginning of the 20th century.
Finding itself so far beyond the Arctic Circle, the AirPano team couldn’t miss the opportunity to look at other interesting places in Norway. One of the most impressive is the 12-kilometer fjord Ersfjord on the island of Senja. It faces the sea with steep rocky mountains that rise 800 meters above its level.
Panoramas taken from a bird's eye view will allow you to fully admire the beauty of this remote corner of our planet, which has preserved nature in its pristine purity.
