Børsa between the sea, the church and standing stones

Børsa brings together a church near the sea, standing stones and a boat harbour below the town centre. The area’s history can be discovered in different places: in the church’s architectural style, in the story of the stones at Naustan and in changes to the buildings in the surrounding area. A walk out along the breakwater is another way to enjoy the water. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Børsa, these different features can help you tailor your trip to your interests.

The church and standing stones tell different stories

Børsa Church was built in 1857 as a typical long-church. Its heritage includes an older altarpiece: it comes from Korskirken in Bergen, depicts Jesus’s Last Supper with his disciples and was painted around 1730 by master painter Sigismund Wagner. The architectural style and altarpiece thus point to different periods; the altar’s origins also lead beyond Børsa to Bergen.

Four standing stones at Naustan in Børsa are used as a symbol in the coat of arms of Skaun municipality. They were moved from the shore to their present location in the early 20th century. They are also believed to be associated with a larger burial ground dating from 500 to 1000 AD. The different periods are what make the site particularly interesting: the possible connection to the burial ground remains a theory, while the stones’ later relocation is a concrete part of their history.

By the water and in the surrounding area

The boat harbour is below the centre of Børsa. Visitors can walk out along the breakwater—a different way to experience the area than through its church and cultural history. Bautaen cultural centre is also located in the town centre. Nearby is Børsøra, a heritage building complex in active use, made up of small coastal tenant houses and boathouses. Together with other preserved Øre areas in Trøndelag, it is an important part of the architectural history of earlier times. Here, the focus is not on a single monument, but on a complex of buildings and its different types.

Skaun as a wider destination

In the wider destination of Skaun, Grønneset offers a different natural setting: this outdoor recreation area is situated by Lake Ånøya and is characterised by woodland and meadows. Visitors can swim, walk, fish, play ball games, play and barbecue there. This is a different experience from Børsa, with its church near the sea, standing stones and boat harbour. You can consider whether local history and walks by the water, or activities by a lake, better suit your travel interests.

In the wider destination of Skaun, Saltnesstranda is in the centre of Buvika. This year-round outdoor recreation area has a gravel path, benches and lawns. Buvikfjæra, in turn, is a relatively undisturbed delta and foreshore area with a high density of birds. It is important for overwintering birds and as a resting place during spring and autumn migration. These examples represent different features: a landscaped open space with a path and seating on the one hand, and an important bird habitat on the other.

The cultural history of the wider destination Skaun is also diverse. Skaun Church at Venn is a medieval stone church dating from around 1180. Piene Mill was completed in 1878, was Norway’s first roller mill and is considered an important piece of technological history. Skreddarhaugen Museum displays around 800 objects, including shoemaking tools and a local history exhibition focused on the Middle Ages. The church, mill and museum thus offer different ways to explore history and craftsmanship.

Skaun also offers specific guidance for hiking and pilgrimage: the pilgrimage route through Skaun is 26 km long. The Gudbrandsdalsleden is marked with wooden posts, enamel signs and pilgrim symbols, and leads to the centre of Buvika, where it runs along a shared-use pedestrian and cycle path. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore first decide whether to focus on Børsa itself, with its local cultural and waterside features, or to include other aspects of the wider destination of Skaun.

Discover more destinations: Buvika, Viggja, Skaun.

Go to the wider travel overview: Skaun.