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Culture and history

Experience world class modern and historic architecture in Ryfylke

Summer, winter, spring, autumn
Last updated: 01.03.2024
Et ufo-formet bygg med en foss i bakgrunnen.
© Dag Jenssen
© Dag Jenssen

The Architectural Route is part of the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, and is the only tourist route in Norway highlighting both modern and historic architecture in a day trip format. Along the route you are driving through a spectacular landscape over mountains and along fjords, rivers and lakes in Suldal, Sauda and Røldal.

Allmannajuvet

The Allmannajuvet zinc mines were in operation from 1881 to 1899. During these years a total of 12,000 tonnes of zinc ore were extracted. Today, the mining area is a museum. Designed by Peter Zumthor and opened in 2016. The buildings in the gorge are designed in an industrial construction style to embody the story of the mines. The installation consists of a gallery, a café building, toilet and parking facilities, paths and stairs.

Allmannajuvet

Guided tours Allmannajuvet, Sauda

Join a guided tour in Allmannajuvet in Sauda, Ryfylke. It will be daily guiding throughout the summer season. Listen to the story of the mining adventure and get a taste of how life inside the mines was in the late 1800's.

Hydro power architecture in Nesflaten

Geir Grung designed the hydro power station, which opened in 1965, housing, and the hotel, Energihotellet, which is located beside the hydro power development plant in Røldal - Suldal.

The area is one of the best-preserved examples of the functionalistic style in Norway. Park your car at Energihotellet and take a stroll down to the power station and residental area.

Inngangspartiet til restauranten og hotellet.

Energihotellet at Nesflaten

Energihotellet is idyllic located in Nesflaten in Ryfylke, and focuses on local food, culture and the history of hydroelectric power production in Suldal. 

Høsebrua opplyst på innsiden en mørk kveld.
© Anne Siv Aasen

Høsebrua bridge

Høsebrua lies in the village of Sand in Suldal, close to the Sandsfossen falls and the Salmon Studio. The bridge is a footbridge over the Suldalslågen salmon river. It lights up beautifully on dark autumn and winter nights and leads to the recreational area across the river.

The bridge won Bridge of the Year from Travel + Leisure Magazine in 2014.

Architect: Sami Rintala/ Eggertsson and Ivan Kroupa.

Høsebru, Sand i Suldal

Høsebrua bridge and Sandsfossen at Sand

Høsebrua is a pedestrian bridge across the Suldalslågen river at Sand in Ryfylke, designed by Rintala Eggertsson Architects.

Det unike toalettbygget på rasteplassen Ostasteidn.
© Foto: Lars Grimsby/Statens vegvesen

Ostasteidn

On the north side of the Sandsfjord Bridge in Suldal, Ryfylke, there is a new spectacular rest area, Ostateidn, inspired by Lars Hertervig’s dramatic paintings of Ryfylke. A walkway leads to seating facilities facing north with a beautiful view of Sandsfjorden, or to a bench by the rock, offering natural shelter from nortwestern winds. 

Architect: KAP - Kontor for Arkitektur og Plan

Ostasteidn

The rest area Ostasteidn close in Suldal

Ostateidn is a new spectacular rest area on the north side of the Sandsfjord bridge in Suldal. It is inspired by Lars Hertervig's dramatic paintings of Ryfylke.

Unike bord og stoler som minner om klynger av sopper.
© Visit Ryfylke

The waiting room and the "mushrooms"

Loated in Ropeid, a peninsula in Suldal, Venterommet, which translates to the waiting room is a waiting room for travellers with the express boats to Sauda and Stavanger. The building has large glass panes that make for close contact with both the fjord and the mountainside. The waiting room was opened in 2004.

Architect: Jensen & Skodvin.

Right by the water's edge, yellow and red stools and tables in various sizes stand like clusters of artificial "mushrooms". The furniture, which is made from materials from recycled plastic boats from Ryfylke, lights up in the darkness.

En dame som sitter på de gule benkene.

Venterommet (waiting room) and "the mushrooms" at Ropeid

"Venterommet" with large glass windows and the "mushrooms" of recycled plastic boats on Ropeid ferry quay in Suldal are unique attractions along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke.

Flesefossen og rasteplassen.
© Frid Jorunn Stabell/Statens vegvesen

The rest area by Flesefossen waterfall

At Flesefossen waterfall, between Røldal and Nesflaten, you will find the largest rest area along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke. The rest area and toilets have been given an extensive makeover, with a longitudinal steel and wood structure on a concrete platform as its distinctive feature. Here you can rest and enjoy the landscape space and the mighty waterfall in peace and quiet.

Architect: Haugen/Zohar Arkitekter.

Flesefossen og rasteplassen.

The rest area Flesefossen in Suldal

At Flesefossen waterfall, between Sand and Røldal, you will find the largest rest area along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, National Road 13.

Unger som er kledd ut i gamle klær på museumsgården Kolbeinstveit.
© Skattkammeret Suldal. Foto Vidar Lunde

Kolbeinstveit farm

The main buildings and barn at Kolbeinstveit, near Suldalsosen, were built around 1850. In the centre of the yard stands the Guggedalsloftet, which is the oldest preserved wooden building in Rogaland. The upper part of the loft dates back to 1281, while the lower part dates from around 1340. In summer, Kolbeinstveit is a living museum farm with animals, children's toys and hosts. You can take a guided tour and buy a traditional meal.

Kolbeinstveit

Kolbeinstveit - a living museum farm in Suldal (Ryfylkemuseet)

Kolbeinstveit is an old farmstead in Suldal in Ryfylke, with farm animals and friendly hosts.

Den gamle museumsgården Litunet i Suldal, med utsikt over Hylsfjorden.
© Skattkammeret Suldal. Foto Jarle Lunde/Suldal Foto

Litunet farm

Litunet is located high up on a steep hillside with a panoramic view of Hylsfjorden. The beautiful cluster farmstead consists of 13 buildings that house many old artefacts from the 18th and 19th centuries. The farmstead is one of the most protected farmsteads in Western Norway. The landscape consists of a steep cultural landscape with small patches of fields, stone fences and clearings. The road to Li was built in 1972 and is not suitable for motorhomes or other large vehicles.

Litunet

Litunet in Suldal (Ryfylkemuseet)

High up on the south side of Hylsfjorden in Suldal in Ryfylke you will find the old farm Litunet, approximately 285 meters above sea level.

Svandalsfossen og trappene som tar deg nærmere fallet.
© Profil

Svandalsfossen fall

The Svandalsfossen waterfall is a mighty spectacle when the river runs high. The 540 steps, completed in 2006, bring visitors into close proximity with the powerful waterfall and the lush, magical vegetation that characterises the area.

Architect: Haga & Grov Sivilarkitekter.

Total driving time 2 ½ -3 hours (not including time spent at stops along the route).

Flere personer som studerer Svandalsfossen fra trappen.

Svandalsfossen falls in Sauda

As you drive The Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, Fv. 520 and Rv. 13, you pass the impressive Svandalsfossen waterfall just before you reach Saudasjøen.

Flere hus og smelteverket i Sauda
© Per Inge Fjellheim

The Industrial Workers' Museum

The Industrial Workers' Museum and Åbøbyen in Sauda is one of the best-preserved residential areas for workers and salaried employees from the expansion of the power industry in Norway. The area, which consists of around 120 houses, is a fine example of neoclassical architecture from the 1920s, as well as functionalist and post-war architecture.

Industrial Workers Museum and Åbøbyen in Sauda (Ryfylkemuseet)

Industrial Workers Museum and Åbøbyen in Sauda (Ryfylkemuseet)

Åbøbyen in Sauda in Ryfylke, is one of the best-preserved residential areas for industrial and office workers built during the establishment of energy-intensive industry in Norway.

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