Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
live hereabouts). What makes a visit well worthwhile is Juhls' Silver Gallery, just out of
town and a magnificent example of the best of Scandinavian jewellery design.
Fromasearlyas1553,duringthegradualtransitionbetweennomadicandsedentarylife-
styles, records reveal evidence of permanent settlement. Christianity took hold early and
the first church was built in 1641.
Sights & Activities
Juhls' Sølvsmie
SILVER WORKSHOP, GALLERY
(
www.juhls.no
; Galaniitoluodda; admission free; 9am-8pm mid-Jun-mid-Aug,
9am-6pm rest of year)
Juhls'SilverGalleryisonahillabovethetownandclearlysigned.
This wonderful building, all slopes and soft angles, was designed and built by owners Re-
gine and Frank Juhls, who first began working with the Sami over half a century ago.
Their acclaimed gallery creates traditional-style and modern silver jewellery and handi-
crafts. One wing of the gallery has a fine collection of oriental carpets and artefacts, re-
minders of their work in support of Afghan refugees during that blighted country's Soviet
occupation. Staff happily show you around and you're welcome to buy items.
Kautokeino Museum
FOLK MUSEUM
(Boaronjárga 23; adult/child Nkr40/free; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, noon-6pm Sun mid-
Jun-mid-Aug, 9am-3pm Mon-Fri rest of year)
Outside, this little museum has a fully-
fledgedtraditionalSamisettlement,completewithanearlyhome,temporarydwellingsand
outbuildings such as the kitchen, sauna, and huts for storing fish, potatoes and lichen (also
called 'reindeer moss' and prime reindeer fodder). Pick up a sheet with plan and descrip-
tion on the reverse at reception since nothing's signed. Inside is a fascinating if cluttered
display of Sami handicrafts, farming and reindeer-herding implements, religious icons and
wintertransportgear.Itemsaresimplynumbered;agood,comprehensivepamphletinEng-
lish, loaned at reception, will guide you around.
Kautokeino Kirke
CHURCH
(Suomalvodda; 9am-9pm Jun-mid-Aug)
The timbered Kautokeino church, which
dates from 1958, is one of Norway's most frequented, particularly at Easter. Its cheery in-
terior, alive with bright Sami colours, has some fixtures salvaged from the earlier 1701
church that was torched in WWII.
