Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SALTSTRAUMEN: WATCHING THE
WHIRLPOOL
Granted, the experience is more immediate from the shoreline. But for the best
views, stand on the north side of the arching Saltstraumbrua bridge, overlooking the
strait at its apex, and watch as the waters swirl like emerald nebulae.
Pick up a tide table in advance from the tourist office in Bodø or your hotel; none
are on display at the site itself.
History
ThehistoryofLofotenisessentiallythatofitsfishingindustry.Numerousbattleshavebeen
fought over these seas, exceptionally rich in spawning cod ever since the glaciers retreated
about 10,000 years ago. In 1120 King Øystein set up the first church and built a number of
rorbuer
, basic 4m by 4m wooden cabins for the fisherfolk with a fireplace, earthen floor
and small porch area. It wasn't entirely philanthropy: in so doing, he took control of the
local economy and ensured rich tax pickings for himself.
In the early 19th century power over the trade fell to local
nessekonger
(merchant
squires)who'dboughtupproperty.Thesenewlandlordsforcedthetenantsoftheir
rorbuer
to deliver their entire catch at a price set by the landlords themselves. The Lofoten Act of
1857greatly diminished the powerofthe
nessekonger
butnotuntil the Raw FishSales Act
of 1936 did they lose the power to set prices.
Information
The official
www.lofoten.info
website is rich in information about the whole archipelago.
Getting There & Away
FROM THE SOUTH
The shortest option is the car ferry between Svolvær and Skutvik, on the mainland (1¾
hours). The most popular and frequent service runs between Bodø and Moskenes (three
