An old treasure in Solvorn, Norway

Colorful shed near the ferry dock in Solvorn, Norway

 

The view from Solvorn of the Lustrafjord.

Solvorn is just a slip of a village on the Lustrafjord, an arm of Europe's longest and deepest fjord, the Sognfjord.  We first discovered the village of 150 inhabitants when we were out on a day trip from the bed and breakfast we were staying at, Nes Gard.  Solvorn was down a side road that led to a ferry crossing.  We were curious about the ferry for the next day so decided to explore.

We saw the Walaker Hotell, but didn't think much of it other than it looked charming.  I took some photos looking out at some boat houses and a couple of the hotel itself.

The next day we were on the other side of the fjord and decided the quickest way back to Nes Gard was to take the ferry to Solvorn.  We did that and saw the hotel again.  This time guests were sitting on the porch.  We had crossed on the ferry with our dinner companions from Nes Gard and they parked their car to look more closely at the hotel.  That night they told us there was an art gallery in the back which was closed on Mondays so they didn't get to see inside.  We learned from them that the hotel dated back to 1640.

 

 

                                                        Crossing on the ferry to Solvorn.


The day we left Nes Gard to head to Bergen, my husband asked if I would like to take another look at the hotel as it was just a short way off the main road.  I was eager to take a closer look.  What we discovered was one of the most idyllic places we had seen in Norway.

There is a beautiful lawn overlooking the fjord and the porch was very welcoming.  As we entered the hotel we met a young man who was cleaning up the breakfast area.  The guests were gone for the day and that was a bonus for us.  He told us we could look wherever we wanted and he said it would be fine to take pictures. 

 

 

                                                   Looking out from the porch at the Walaker Hotell.

                                                     The comfortable looking porch.


In the dining room there was much art work on the walls.  The young man told us that the art gallery in back didn't open until noon and it contained art work from all over Norway.  There were some side sitting rooms on the first floor of the hotel that were filled with antiques and more art work.

A chamber maid allowed us upstairs to peak into rooms in the main part of the hotel.  They were decorated with an old fashioned look yet were comfortable looking, fairly large and beautiful. 

 

               
 We discovered a side building and since no one was around we explored that as well.  There were two large meetings rooms on the main floor, but the bedrooms upstairs were so reminiscent of Carl Larsson that I was beside myself with glee.  Carl Larsson (1853-1919) and his wife Karin (1858-1928) were artists and interior designers from Sweden.  I have long desired to visit their homestead in Sundborn, Sweden, but the annex to the Walaker Hotell was second best.

I found a little booklet in the hotel that tells its story.  "Walaker Hotell has been owned by the Nitter family since the end of the 17th century.  The current hosts, eight and ninth generations of the family, wish you welcome to an ambient nostalgic atmosphere at one of Norway's oldest and most traditional hotels."  It is indeed a treasured place.