Rørvik - surrounded by thousands of islands

Nærøya: The island of the Gods

Excursion

Price from £201

Difficulty level

Level 2: Suitable for most.

Booking code

HRI-RVK11C,HRI-RVK3C,HRS-RVK2

Duration

3 hours

Notes

Read the practical information below

The Medieval Church of Nærøya island
  • Enjoy a boat tour to this remote privately owned island

  • Embark on a guided visit of medieval Nærøykirka, once the heart of community life

  • Immerse yourself in the local history through thousands of years with the help of an expert guide

  • Get acquainted with some of the myths and legends of the island

Your guide will be waiting for you as you step off the ship. Dressed in a Viking costume, they will take you to the Coastal Museum of Norveg, from where it’s a 15-minute boat ride to the island. Named after the Norse sea god Njord, Nærøya was a powerful centre even in pre-Christian times and is often mentioned in the Icelandic sagas. 

As Norway was Christianised, Nærøya continued to hold its position as a religious, political, economic, and administrative epicentre of Ytre Namdal between the 12th and 17th centuries, with Nærøykirka serving as the region’s county church and the heart of social and religious life, drawing communities together.   

On this tour you will be an authentic pioneer, visiting a privately own island where a family farms the land in the company of their sheep and dogs, by the shadows of a medieval church with its stories and ghosts of past times. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of the church itself, discovering traces of those who once built it, as well as making the short walk to the baptismal fountain – another site of importance on the island, full of magic and myths from ancient times.

Practical information 

  • Language: English. 

  • Included: Boat transfer, entry to church, plus mineral water, coffee, and a light snack. 

  • Clothing: Wear comfortable waterproof shoes and clothes suitable for the weather on the day. In winter, it can be slippery in places, and it may be necessary to use spikes. 

  • Walking information: It is a 3km roundtrip walk from the boat to the church. 

  • Wheelchair accessible: No.

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