Kristiansand Attractions
Post code: N-4600
Telephone code: 042
The port of Kristiansand lies on a level and almost square peninsula in the Skagerrak at the mouth of the Torridalselv (the lower course of the Otra). The town, founded by Christian IV in 1641, was destroyed by fire on several occasions in subsequent centuries (most recently in 1892), and was rebuilt on a regular grid plan.
Kristiansand is the chief town of Vest-Agder county and the see of a bishop. Its main sources of employment are industry and shipping.
Kristiansand is the site of the Quart Festival each year in July, Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park and the University of Agder's largest campus.
Telephone code: 042
The port of Kristiansand lies on a level and almost square peninsula in the Skagerrak at the mouth of the Torridalselv (the lower course of the Otra). The town, founded by Christian IV in 1641, was destroyed by fire on several occasions in subsequent centuries (most recently in 1892), and was rebuilt on a regular grid plan.
Kristiansand is the chief town of Vest-Agder county and the see of a bishop. Its main sources of employment are industry and shipping.
Kristiansand is the site of the Quart Festival each year in July, Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park and the University of Agder's largest campus.
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Setesdal
Setesdal is an area of natural beauty, where locals have maintained some of the long standing cultural traditions.
Aust Agder Wildlife Park
E 18 crosses the much indented Topdalsfjord on a suspension bridge 608m/660yd long and in 11km/7mi passes the Dyrepark (Wildlife Park), in which almost all the species found in Scandinavia are represented. It is also well known for its breeding of camels.
Fort Christiansholm
On the southeast side of the peninsula is the East Harbor (Østre Havn), with the 17th century Fort Christiansholm (art exhibitions in summer).
Grovane Old-time Railroad
From Kristiansand a road runs north by way of Vennesla to Grovane, from which a train drawn by an old steam locomotive (1894) operates on Sundays along a 5km/3mi stretch of the old Setesdal railroad.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| Close |
International Church Music Festival
This week-long festival takes place in early May with dozens of different events. Choral, orchestral and chamber music is played in the Kristiansand Cathedral throughout the festival.
Kristiansand to Arendal via Grimstad
From Kristiansand E 18 runs northeast to the coastal towns of Grimstad and Arendal.
Kristianstad Cathedral
In the Market Square (Torget) in the center of Kristiansand is the Cathedral, rebuilt in neo-Gothic style in 1882-85 after a fire. It has a fine altar with a painting of Christ at Emmaus and wood figures of the Evangelists from the old church.
In the adjoining gardens can be seen a monument (by Gustav Vigeland) to the poet Henrik Wergeland (1808-45), a native of the town. On the east side of the square is a bronze statue of King Håkon VII (1872-1957).
In the adjoining gardens can be seen a monument (by Gustav Vigeland) to the poet Henrik Wergeland (1808-45), a native of the town. On the east side of the square is a bronze statue of King Håkon VII (1872-1957).
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
Lindesnes
28km/17mi southwest of Mandal is Lindesnes (alt. 38m/125ft), the most southerly point on the mainland of Norway (lat. 57°58'43" north), on which Norway's first lighthouse was built in 1655.
Mandal, Norway
(Near Kristiansand)
Mandal (pop. 12,000) 45km/28mi west of Kristiansand on E 18, lying on both banks of the Mandalselv, is the most southerly town in Norway, with handsome old burghers' houses and a large wooden church (1821). From the rocky hill of Uranienborg, to the north of the town, there are wide views.
The town of Mandal is a popular holiday resort, noted for the beaches surrounding it and the mild summer climate. The church in Mandal is the largest wooden church in Norway, with 1800 seats.
The town of Mandal is a popular holiday resort, noted for the beaches surrounding it and the mild summer climate. The church in Mandal is the largest wooden church in Norway, with 1800 seats.
Ravnedal Nature Park
Northwest of Kristiansand, beyond the park-like Baneheia (several lakes with facilities for swimming), is the Ravnedal Nature Park.
From the crags which rear above the park there are fine views of the town, the sea and the islands.
From the crags which rear above the park there are fine views of the town, the sea and the islands.
Vest-Agder County Museum
Outside Kristiansand, to the northeast, the Vest-Agder County Museum (Fylkesmuseum) is one of the largest open-air museums in Norway, with old cottages and farmhouses from Vest-Agder and the Setesdal, a street of old houses (Bygaden) from Kristiansand. Several rooms in the houses display furniture, textiles, glass, stoneware and old liturgical utensils. Near the museum stands the early medieval church of Oddernes, with a runic stone in the churchyard.
Hours
June 15 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
August 21 to June 19
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 |
West Harbor (Fishing Harbor)
On the southwest side of Kristiansand is the West Harbor (Vestre Havn) bounded on the south by the little peninsula of Langmannsholm, and to the east, between Langmannsholm and Odderøy, the fishing harbor (harbor cruises). There are remains of old fortifications on Odderøy.
