HelGeland - Nordnorge

sandnessjøen
– Gateway to the Helgeland coast
Sandnessjøen is a transportation hub for the entire region, with
flights to other Norwegian cities, daily calls by the Hurtigruten
coastal steamer, scheduled buses, and ferries and express boats
to many destinations. The municipality has a large moose population
– and out in the countryside you may well spot one of
these huge mammals at dusk. One of Sandnessjøen’s many attractions
is The Seven Sisters mountain range, a favourite hiking
area of HM Queen Sonja.
attraCtions and aCtivities
alstaHauG CHurCH
Alstahaug church, built approx. 1200, is one of seven mediaeval churches
still preserved in northern Norway. The parish was once one of the most powerful
in Helgeland. Norway’s celebrated poet Petter Dass served as a priest
here from 1689 until he died in 1707. Daily tours of the church during the
summer, or by appointment. Situated about 20 km south of Sandnessjøen.
For more information, please visit www.petterdass.no, or call
tel. +47 75 11 01 50.
petter dass museum at alstaHauG
This museum, which today is an integral part of Helgeland Museum, was
selected as the site for Nordland County’s millennium celebrations. The
museum comprises a number of 18 th and 19 th century buildings. The strikingly
modern museum building, designed by renowned Snøhetta architects,
houses exhibitions revolving around the poet-priest Petter Dass. Also here is
Margrethe’s Café, which offers a menu based on locally produced ingredients.
The museum is open year round, with extended hours during the summer.
Situated about 20 km south of Sandnessjøen. For further information, please
visit www.petterdass.no or call tel. +47 75 11 01 50.
28 Helgeland
tjøtta soviet p.o.W. Cemetery
Thousands of Russian prisoners-of-war who died in German prison camps in
northern Norway were buried in regular cemeteries. After the war, however,
Norwegian authorities decided to gather their remains in a single cemetery.
Tjøtta War Cemetery was consecrated in 1953. In addition to 826 individual
identified graves, 6725 unidentified Russians are buried together. The cemetery
is situated along Highway Fv17, about 3 km outside Tjøtta.
tjøtta international War Cemetery
This cemetery is dedicated to those who lost their lives when German troop
carrier Riges was sunk by allied warplanes on 27 November 1944. It is uncertain
exactly how many died in the attack, but according to official numbers
2572 people died – the vast majority of them Russian, Polish and Serbian
prisoners of war. In addition seven Norwegians died. The sinking of Rigel is
one of the deadliest ship disasters in history. All graves are unmarked, but a
cross-shaped stone monument has been raised to the dead. Situated along
Highway Fv17, about 3 km outside Tjøtta.
tjøtta farm
The first known owner of Tjøtta Farm was the 10 th century bard Øyvind Finnson.
When he died, his son Hårek took over the farm, becoming one of the
most powerful men of the Hålogaland region. Hårek fought at the Battle of
Stiklestad in 1030, and six years later he was killed by an axe. Today the
farm houses the research centre of Bioforsk Nord Tjøtta, which focuses on
industrial and rural development projects, consulting services and research.
Situated at Tjøtta by Fv17.
belsvåG farm
In 1804, Mathias Bonsak Krogh was named bishop of Nordlandene and Finnmarkene,
and the next year he was also appointed parish vicar of Alstahaug.
In 1812 Krogh purchased the farm, and thus Belsvåg Farm became the first