Melandsjøen: Hopsjø, church architecture and cultural trails

If you are looking for a hotel in Melandsjøen, the local cultural and hiking attractions can help you choose the focus of your stay. Hopsjøbrygga represents the history of coastal trade; Hitra Church combines a distinctive architectural design with the history of church construction on Dolmøya. There are also cultural trails with different destinations: the Hopsjøvarden viewpoint and the burial mound complex on Brannhaugen. You can therefore plan your visit according to whether you are particularly interested in local history, church architecture or trails with scenic views.

Trade history and coastal culture in Hopsjø

Hopsjøbrygga is an original trading centre on the coast of Trøndelag in Melandsjøen. The recurring Hopsjødagene festival showcases the history of Hopsjø and coastal culture. Hopsjøbrygga is also home to a general store that may be the oldest surviving one in Norway. This combination of trade history, a festival and a historic shop gives the place several cultural points of interest.

Pakkhusbrygga has been converted into a restaurant serving drinks and food with a local connection. In Hopsjøvågen, a complex of buildings includes accommodation as well as distinctive rooms for courses and conferences. If you are travelling for a course or conference, these facilities may influence your choice of where to stay. Check current availability before making plans based on them.

Two cultural trails, different destinations

The short hike to Hopsjøvarden starts at the car park by Hopsjøbrygga. First, follow a marked cultural trail; then the path leads to the top of the viewpoint. From there, you can see the fjord and the historic trading area. Trail and visibility conditions may vary. If you choose this hike, it combines a clearly marked starting point with a viewpoint and the historic surroundings of Hopsjø.

The cultural trail on Brannhaugen in Melandsjøen leads to a burial mound complex at the summit. From there, the view extends northwest to the mouth of Dolmsundet, Bispøyene, Titran and Frøya. Compared with Hopsjøvarden, the burial mound complex and the named views are the main features here; at Hopsjøvarden, the focus is on the fjord view and the historic trading area. Vegetation and visibility may affect the views from Brannhaugen.

Hitra Church: architecture and history

Hitra Church stands in Melandsjø in Trøndelag. The stone church has a square floor plan in the shape of a cross and seating for 400. It was built in 1927 to plans by architect Claus Johannessen Hjelte (1884–1969). Those interested in architecture will find specific details here about the materials, floor plan, capacity and construction date.

The church was built to replace the old main church on Dolmøya, which burned down on the night of 3 February 1920. A royal resolution dated 23 November 1923 approved the construction of the new church in Melandsjø on the condition that Hitra municipality undertook to maintain the church ruins on Dolmøya. The story thus links the construction of the church in Melandsjø to a fire on Dolmøya and a specific obligation for Hitra municipality.

Hitra in a wider context

On Hitra, the landscape ranges from coastal areas and mountains to thousands of fishing lakes; the island region includes an archipelago of islands and skerries. For regional travel, the Kystekspressen express boat service, Route 800, regularly connects Trondheim and Kristiansund with Hitra, Frøya and the outlying island chain. Check the current timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Kvenvær, Hamarvik, Sandstad, Dolmøy, Hitra, Knarrlagsund, Korshamn, Kjerringvåg

Go to the broader travel overview: Hitra.