Hvittingfoss: Tuft Church, River and Tradition

Hvittingfoss combines a distinctive church history with a long-standing festival tradition and a clearly defined fishing theme on the Numedalslågen. Tuft Church, Hvittingfossmarken and the designated stretch of river appeal to different travel interests: architecture and history, community events, or a stay during the fishing season. When choosing a holiday rental, it is worth deciding on your preferred focus and suitable travel dates first.

Tuft Church: Two Chapters of Church History

Tuft Church in Hvittingfoss is a brick long church built in 1880, with 150 seats. It was built in the Neo-Gothic style. A copy of Thorvaldsen’s figure of Christ was used as the altarpiece—a special detail alongside the architecture of the church building.

The church history in Tuft goes back further: the first church there was a stave church. It stood on Tuftmoen for about 600 years and was demolished in 1880. The year therefore links two different chapters: the end of the stave church’s long history and the construction of today’s brick long church. Anyone interested in architectural history will find not just a single type of building here, but a sequence of earlier and present-day church construction.

Hvittingfossmarken as a Local Tradition

Hvittingfossmarken has been a tradition for more than three decades and an important meeting place in Hvittingfoss. The 33rd Hvittingfossmarken featured a weekend of music, activities, market stalls and entertainment for children and adults. This mix brings together market activities and shared experiences in an event setting that included different age groups.

For trip planning, the fair is a distinct occasion alongside the enduring themes of the church and river. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the dates of the relevant edition before booking; the programme items described here do not provide current event dates.

Fishing on the Numedalslågen

The managed fishing area on the Numedalslågen extends along the main river from its mouth in Larvik north to the dam in Hvittingfoss. The designated fishing stretch from Holmfoss upstream to Hvittingfoss is a separate area. From 10 June to the end of August, this stretch offers opportunities to catch wild salmon and sea trout. The season is therefore an important consideration if you want to combine your stay with fishing; check the conditions for your planned trip in advance.

Further afield in the lower Numedalslågen region, historical fishing methods are still used, including the so-called log-driving fishery. This adds another perspective to the river theme: alongside seasonal fishing in the designated stretch, historical fishing methods continue to be practised in the lower river area.

More Cultural Highlights in Kongsberg

The wider destination of Kongsberg is home to other cultural and event highlights. The Kongsberg Jazz Festival is usually held annually in calendar week 27 and lasts four days; 2020 was an exception. It uses around 15 venues in the city, including clubs, churches, courtyards and outdoor stages. The number of venues and the programme can change from one edition to the next, so it is worth checking the dates for the relevant edition before travelling.

Architecture also gives Kongsberg its own distinctive character: Kongsberg Church is Norway’s largest Baroque church and has a richly decorated Rococo interior. Lågdalsmuseet is a family-friendly museum in the heart of Kongsberg. It is located on the grounds of the former Glitre farm, where an Empire-style building dating from 1812 has representative interiors from different periods. These attractions belong to Kongsberg and complement the local orientation in Hvittingfoss with a cultural perspective explicitly situated elsewhere.

This makes it possible to choose between different priorities when selecting a holiday rental: in Hvittingfoss, the main attractions are Tuft Church, the fair and seasonal fishing; in Kongsberg, they include the festival, Baroque church and museum. If an event is shaping your trip, check its dates before booking. For fishing, the period from 10 June to the end of August provides a specific guide to when to travel.

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