Discover Tjodalyng: Church, History and Trails

In Tjodalyng, local history meets outdoor recreation. Historical landmarks include Tjølling Church, the old Tjodalyng assembly site, a parsonage and Bronze Age rock carvings. These different themes offer ways to shape your stay around culture, history or outdoor activities.

Church and historical traces

Tjølling Church was built of masonry in the 12th century, probably around 1150. Under Norway’s Cultural Heritage Act, the church and churchyard are automatically protected as heritage sites. On the outside of the church is a sundial from 1696. The medieval construction period and a later-dated feature thus stand side by side: the church’s date is approximate, while the sundial bears a specific year.

Tjøllingvollen is the site of the old Tjodalyng assembly site. East of the church is the historic Tjølling parsonage, with associated buildings dating from 1805. Some parts of the parsonage are now used by Tjølling Local History Association.

The Haugen rock carvings are also part of the area’s history. They date from the Bronze Age and are estimated to be from around 1500 to 500 BC. The timeline therefore ranges from the Bronze Age carvings, through the 12th-century church building, to the buildings from 1805.

Outdoor recreation and the Tunsbergleden

Husebyskogen is designated for walking, playing and skiing; conditions for recreational use may change. A municipal recreation database from 2013 lists a toboggan run for sledding and skiing at Kalliåsen. Conditions at the facility may have changed since then. Check its current status before making firm plans to use it.

Tjølling Church is on the Tunsbergleden pilgrimage route. The route can be walked in stages or in its entirety and is not wheelchair-accessible. Overall, the Tunsbergleden passes through easy-to-access, gently rolling terrain and follows asphalt, gravel roads and forest paths. It is marked in some places and can be followed with GPS support on a mobile phone using the UT.no app. Check the trail markings and app information again before your trip.

More historic places in the wider destination of Larvik

In the wider destination of Larvik, Bøkeskogen contains more than 60 preserved burial mounds. The forest is a protected landscape area, part of the Gea Norvegica Geopark and part of the large Ra Moraine from the end of the last Ice Age. Blue-marked circular trails are available in lengths of 2, 6 and 10 km. This gives you three different trail lengths to choose from.

Kaupang is also part of the wider destination of Larvik. It was founded around the year 800 as a centre for trade and production. The exhibitions offer insights into the work of archaeologists, the finds and what is known today about the site’s history.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Stavern, Nevlunghamn, Helgeroa, Kvelde, Larvik.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Larvik.