Sannidal: Discover Churches, the Bygdetun and Nature

Sannidal offers several starting points for a trip focused on local history and outdoor activities. The former stave church, today's Sannidal Church and the Sannidal Bygdetun offer different historical perspectives. Nearby, there are also hiking trails and waterways. When planning, you can explore church and architectural history, local traditions, excursions and the journey towards Kragerø.

Church History in Two Periods

The former stave church in Sannidal was built around 1200 and dedicated to Saint Lawrence. Today's Sannidal Church is a wooden church completed on 1 September 1772. These two dates offer insight into different periods of local church history.

The vestibule of the present-day church displays carved portals with dragon-style ornaments, as well as the entrance door from the former stave church. The church also contains a gravestone cast at the Mørland ironworks in Kjølebrønn. It is the only visibly preserved evidence of this ironworks. Together with the dedication to Saint Lawrence and the different construction dates, these details reveal various traces of local history.

Buildings and Tradition at the Sannidal Bygdetun

The Sannidal Bygdetun comprises historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Each building has signs in Norwegian and English describing its history. This lets you explore the individual houses and their historical background rather than viewing the site only as a single ensemble.

The Bygdetun is also the setting for a local tradition: the 17 May celebration is held there every year. Historic buildings and a recurring event in the local calendar thus come together here. This complements the focus on church architecture and furnishings with a community occasion.

Hiking, Water and Activities in the Area

The “Historic Hike in Kjølebrønn” passes over Byttekollen and takes about two hours. Kjølebrønn, in the area around Sannidal, is also known for its many hiking opportunities and good canoeing, and lies along the route from Tangen towards Stabbestad. Tveitereid and Tyvann are freshwater swimming spots in the Sannidal area. If you plan to swim, bear in mind that conditions may vary by season.

At Ilsjø, you can consider fishing, swimming and paddling as different outdoor activities; the lake is also known as a fishing spot. There are several beaver lodges at Ilsjø. You can take them into account as a natural feature, but this does not guarantee that you will see beavers.

For a different kind of activity, the Kragerø Action Park in Sannidal offers paintball. If this is important to your plans, check in advance whether the activity is available when you visit, as availability may change.

Getting There via Kragerø

When travelling from Oslo towards Kragerø, the route follows the E18; Tangen in Sannidal can be used as an exit. If you take the express bus to Kragerø, you can also get off at Tangen and transfer there to a regional bus to Kragerø. The road route and bus connection therefore provide two different options to consider when planning your journey. Check the latest timetable before travelling by bus.

Kragerø as a Wider Destination

In the wider Kragerø destination, Jomfruland National Park lies along the outer coast. It is a 117,000-mål marine national park and 27 kilometres long. The protected area includes a coastal and marine environment of particular geological character, with kelp forests, seagrass meadows, soft seabed and shell sand.

Boating, kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, diving and fishing are possible in the national park and archipelago. Cycling is permitted on designated roads; seasonal restrictions apply in parts of the park. This coastal and marine landscape forms a distinct regional theme alongside the churches, historic buildings and waterways around Sannidal.

Discover more destinations: Kragerø, Stabbestad, Nordbø

Go to the wider travel overview: Kragerø.