About us in Gudvangen Development

A tourist is talking to someone from the village, they are surrounded with other people dressed with colorful historical clothing and overlooking a fuming pot, probably preparing for dinner

In the area where the Viking Market has traditionally been held every summer, a permanent Viking village has been built. Through the company Gudvangen The development, owned by local enthusiasts, began construction in August 2016 and construction phase 1 opened on May 31, 2017.

Viking Valley and the Viking village of Njardarheimr will be a place for good experiences, learning and activities through participation and meetings with people who are living out this era today.

The Viking village has the name "NJARDARHEIMR"

Njardarheimr means the home dedicated to the Norse god Njord. « Viking "Valley", as the overall concept is called, will be a living cultural-historical facility, built thematically as a Viking village. Here, the Viking Age and the Vikings' exciting history will be conveyed completely without a museum feel. 

About Viking Valley

  • The Viking village Njardarheimr consists of over 2000 m2 of buildings.

  • The decorations are based on Viking Age styles, but with their own design.

  • The houses are built based on previous experience with reconstructions of Viking Age buildings, but adapted to GUAS' needs and local materials.

  • Blacksmithing, e.g. door hinges, is carried out by a blacksmith with lifelong experience of blacksmithing.

  • Traditional types of measurements are used to decorate the houses, including oxblood measurements.

  • Materials found in the fjord country are used to build the village with peat and roofing shingles as in the stave churches.

A Viking town of very high quality is our ambition.

Two important people from the town are preparing for a blot, the woman dressed with a teal apron dress, is pouring a liquid into the horn of the chief
This is a photo of the 5 people who developed Viking Valley

The team behind the development of "Njardarheimr"

From left:

  • Steen Bjerg Architect & Builder

  • Frode Tufte Concept developer & CEO GUAS

  • Torill Hylland Chairman GUAS

  • Johnny Steensen Project coordinator

  • Bernd Hobohm Designer

About Gudvangen Development AS (GUAS) 

  • GUAS is a locally owned development company that aims to develop both business and housing in Nærøydalen.

  • The owners of GUAS already operate local businesses with a combined turnover of more than NOK 150 million.