#fretheim

Otternes Bygdetun panorama by Bjørn Normann jr. Via Flickr: This photo is merged from 16 photos into a panoramic photo of Otternes Bygdetun and it's surroundings with a beautiful view over Aurlandsfjorden. Otternes is a historic cluster and row of 18th-century farms, including 26 buildings. This collection of buildings enjoys wonderful views over the Aurland Fjord, about 2½ miles from Flåm. An entry ticket allows you to wander around these fantastic surroundings at your own pace, or you can have guiding. Otternes have traces of settlement from approx. 300 AD and the oldest buildings Guttormstova and Eilertstova were built around the year 1700. The land exchange in the 1860s had no consequences for Otternes where the dough mixture lasted until 1987. The yard originally consisted of four farms: Tomasgarden, Guttormgarden, Oddagarden and Andersgarden. In the 19th century, 30 people lived in the yard. The remaining two farms were run the old-fashioned way until the 1970s. The yard is therefore little affected by changes, and many of the buildings therefore appear about as they did in the 18th century. In addition, the cultural landscape with mounds, wells, walls and stairs is intact. Due to its authentic environment, the place has been used as a setting in several film recordings, among others. "A handful of time" from 1989 by Martin Asphaug, Norwegian Film. The otters have been displaced since 1996. From 1974, parts of the yard were taken over by Aurland municipality. In 1987, the municipality took over the rest of the yard, and in 2012 established the Stiftinga Otternes Bygdetun as owner and manager of Otternes. Extensive restoration of the building mass in the yard is planned.