Bærums verk - nature, history, art and shopping.

If you want to see Norwegian nature, art and history, and at the same time do some shopping, Bærums Verk is the place to go. One hour by bus (route 143) outside of Oslo, you will find this pearl. It’s in one of the most posh areas in Norway. Well, that is what they believe those that have recently moved there. Lots of people in Norway have this crazy idea that living in Bærum is the best thing since sliced bread. And those that have been able to afford to move there, believe they are the Bee’s  Knees. Those that have lived there for generations are relatively normal.

The area now has about 8000 inhabitants, but only 35 years ago, this was still in the countryside, and the about hundred families living in the area back then, were farmers and craftsmen. Now there are still some farmers and craftsmen, but mainly you will find newly rich and wanna-be-rich people there.

No, I’m not saying this because I’m jealous. My husband is from that area, and we moved away because there were too many snobs.

Anyway… History…

 In 1603 there were found iron in the area, and in 1610 king Christian IV granted Paul Smelter the right to build an iron foundry. Smelter bought several farms lying close together, and gathered all the foundries in the area in one spot. This was so successful that all other foundries in Oslo and Aker were shut down. So Smelter achieved a virtual monopoly in the Oslo area.

In 1664 the Krefting family took over the works. From 1712 to 1766 the works grew and became the largest of its kind in Norway. The works have changed hands several times, but in 1889 it went into the Løvenskiold family through inheritance, where it still remains. Production diversified to include a large variety of cast iron products. Still the works were closed down in 1964. In 1997 the factory site was redeveloped as a retail commercial centre. Many of the buildings on the site are protected, including the oldest tavern in Norway.

You can play outdoor chess here. And remember, this is the are where the chess player Magnus Carlsen is from.

The old foundry was converted into a shopping area, nicely situated along the Lomma River, and the different parts are connected by pedestrian bridges. The centre contains two supermarkets, several restaurants, hairdresser, bakeries and several retail stores. You can also find a small chocolate factory, glassworks, one person making necklaces, rings, bracelets etc. (now you cannot call it a jeweller, there are no jewels involved).

It’s well worth the trip. The area is beautiful, and you get so much of everything.

Further down you will find some videos of the area.

Here you can read more: Bærums Verk

Henie Onstad Art Center

Henie Onstad Kunstsenter

 It’s an art museum at Høvikodden in Bærum. It was opened by Sonja Henie and her husband Niels Onstad in 1968. Their private art collection, 110 pictures in all, plus funds to build and run the center, was given by the couple in 1961, when the Sonja Henie and Niels Onstad Foundation was founded. Bærum kommune (county) gave the center the plot to build on.

The Hennie Onstad Art Center holds exhibitions and performances. The center is visited by 100 000 people every year. It also contains Sonja Henie’s prize collection. The donors are buried on the lot.

The center is a very pleasant area to go for a walk. And below the center, there is a very nice small beach. You will also find a quite famous and fancy restaurant, called Bølgen og Moi.

Sonja Henie (1912-1969) was a Norwegian figure skater and a film star. She was a three time Olympic Champion (1928, 1932 and 1936) in Ladies’ Singles, ten-time World Champion (1927-1936), and six-time European Champion (1931-1936). She won more World and Olympic titles than any other female figure skater. And as if that was not enough, at the height of her career, she was one of the most well paid actresses in Hollywood.

Henie was married three times, and in between those, she was known for her love affairs. The newspapers and gossip magazines must have loved her.

Unfortunately she was diagnosed with leukemia in the mid- 1960s. She died of the disease in 1969.

If you want to know more about this fairytale lady, check out this link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonja_Henie

I don’t know anything about art. I’m not even going to pretend that I do. But if you like that sort of thing, the center is well worth seeing. If not, I’d recommend a stroll around the peaceful area. Who knows, maybe you even get too meet Queen Sonja out there. She is known for frequenting the place.

Further down you will also find some videos from the area. Enjoy!

The old phone booths have become art?!