Discover Ramnes: Church, farm life and river landscape

Ramnes offers several distinct points of interest for planning a trip: the medieval Ramnes kirke, farming heritage and the river landscape along the Ramneselva. If you are looking for a hotel, these themes can help you plan your trip around the places and activities you want to visit. Check the latest visitor information for events and farm activities; independently, the historical and scenic features offer their own impression of Ramnes.

Church and local history

Ramnes kirke was built sometime in the 12th century. Its Romanesque style can be seen in the rounded arches of its windows and portals. It is one of four surviving medieval churches in Tønsberg municipality. The church’s oldest bell is considered the oldest church bell cast in this district. The date of construction, architecture and history of the bell each offer a different perspective: the date places it in the Middle Ages, while the rounded arches are a specific architectural feature.

Cultural landscape and farming heritage

The valley around Ramnes kirke and the former municipal centre of Tingvoll opens out into the large, cultivated Ramnessletta plain. Alongside the church’s architecture, the open cultural landscape also shapes the character of this place. If you want to include both history and landscape in your travel plans, Ramnes offers two distinct themes that can be explored independently.

Bygdetunet Brår is an old farm used by Ramnes Historielag as a local history and open-air museum. An event programme from 2023 stated that the collections were open to visitors; check the latest information before visiting. An event programme from 2023 also noted that the mill and forge were in operation. Åpen gård was described as an event held annually on the last weekend in August. Check the specific dates before travelling and whether the event is still taking place. This allows you to consider the museum and event offerings separately when planning.

Ramnes Søndre gård has operated an open visitor farm, farm shop and farm bakery since 2016. Activities include campfires, and the farm has twelve different animal species. Check the latest visitor and programme information if you plan to visit the farm shop, bakery or activities. The focus here is on farming and farm activities, while Ramnes kirke is primarily about architecture and church history.

Mølledammen and the Ramneselva

At Mølledammen on the Ramneselva, remains of dam timber date back to the 16th century. The fish ladder at Mølledammen consists of seven deep pools. In autumn, sea trout and occasionally salmon use the ladder to spawn further upstream in Askjerdalen. Thus, seasonal fish migration also shapes the area, alongside the history of the dam. There is also a bathing ladder at Mølledammen; check local conditions before swimming. Autumn is the stated season for fish migration, while current conditions should be checked before swimming.

More cultural attractions in the wider Tønsberg destination

The wider Tønsberg destination offers other distinct cultural attractions. Tønsberg Cathedral was built in 1858 over the ruins of an 11th-century basilica dedicated to Archdeacon St. Laurentius. It contains furnishings from Lavranskyrka and the medieval Mariakirken. The medieval town of Tønsberg and Slottsfjellet are among Norway’s most significant medieval heritage sites; the ruins of Tunsberghus can be seen on Slottsfjellet.

Slottsfjellsmuseet is in central Tønsberg, at the foot of Slottsfjellet. Its exhibitions cover the Middle Ages and the history of the town. Norway’s fourth Viking ship is on display in the Vikinghall: the merchant ship from Klåstad, the only surviving Viking ship exhibited outside Oslo. Check the latest exhibition information before visiting. These cultural attractions in Tønsberg add further perspectives on the wider destination to Ramnes’s local history.

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