Bjørke: Cultural History and Craftsmanship

Bjørke offers a range of cultural attractions: the historic Bakketunet at Åkre, crafts and café offerings, small art collections, and a protected telephone kiosk. At its heart is a site with six buildings, a unified character, and a deep historical heritage. Other themes range from knitting and building traditions to antiques and painting.

Bakketunet: a historic site with six buildings

Bakketunet at Åkre in Bjørke comprises six buildings and has a unified character and a deep historical heritage. For culture enthusiasts, its particular appeal lies in the interplay between the group of buildings and their long history. Rather than a single exhibit, the focus is on a site with several buildings.

For individual visitors, Bakketunet is open every Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00 during the summer season of 2026. These opening hours apply to the 2026 season. If you are travelling at a later date, check the opening days in effect then.

Knitting, café, and group activities

In the Kammerset and the Stabbur at Bakketunet, Hjørundfjordstrikk runs a summer exhibition and knitting shop. These seasonal offerings are described for summer 2026; if visiting outside this period, check the dates in advance. The craft themes give the site a cultural dimension distinct from the buildings themselves.

Bakketunet’s café serves homemade cakes and coffee. Tailored programmes are available for groups, and a separate menu is also reserved for groups. These group offerings differ from regular visits. As part of group visits, Bakketunet also offers its own talks on art, knitting, and building traditions. They are aimed at handicraft associations as well as other interested clubs and organisations. Early booking is requested for summer 2026; groups should arrange their visits in advance.

Telephone kiosk, antiques, and art

One of Norway’s 100 protected telephone kiosks stands beside Bjørke kyrkje. At Morks Antikk, Antikkløa at Erkegarden in Bjørke displays a large collection of antiques and retro items. Those more interested in painting and graphic art can find a small collection of these art forms at Morks Antikk in Galleri Bukke-Jo. Bjørke thus brings together a range of cultural themes: a protected everyday object, historical and more recent items, and visual art.

More cultural sites in the Ørsta destination

The wider Ørsta destination is home to other cultural sites, each with its own focus. Brudavolltunet is an authentic farmstead; its buildings and landscape have significant cultural and historical value. The oldest parts of the buildings date from the 17th century. Aasentunet is one of the few language museums in the Nordic region and offers exhibitions, guided tours, research, cultural events, and festivals.

Hjørundfjord kyrkje is also part of the cultural offering in the Ørsta destination. This timber-built long church dates from 1880. Its altarpiece is the central element of an altar shrine from the early 16th century; the church also has several stained-glass windows by Jørgen Skaare. These examples offer a different focus from Bakketunet: farmstead history, language culture, and church art complement the themes you can discover in Bjørke.

Discover more destinations: Øye, Norangsfjorden, Barstadvik, Sæbø, Sætre, Ørsta, Storestandal, Vartdal.

Go to the wider travel overview: Ørsta.