History

Discover Knutholmen Hotell, which was constructed from several buildings that once constituted a vibrant 19th-century marketplace.

Knutholmen Hotell was constructed during the historic reign of the United Kingdom’s famed Queen Victoria, who sat on the British throne from 1837 to 1901.

Comprised of a string of several historic buildings, Knutholmen Hotell represents the dynamic heritage of Kalvag. The charming complex that once constituted the hotel served as a 19th-century marketplace. It featured a salting shop, bakery, guesthouses, and many other businesses. Kalvag itself was one of the most popular fishing villages in the 1860s, attracting over 11,000 visitors during the high-season. By 1871, the village housed 52 salting mills that boasted a total of 35,340 barrels. For almost a century, Kalvag experienced a steady stream of business, until the 1960s, when the industry experienced a decline as a result of the over-fishing of herring. Today, Kalvag remains a leader in the fishing industry, using ethical practices.

a group of men standing in front of a building

Hotel Timeline

Kalvåg became one of Norway’s most active fishing villages, drawing thousands of seasonal visitors and supporting a bustling maritime economy. Knutholmen Hotell, whose historic buildings once formed part of a busy 19th-century marketplace.

The complex included a salting shop, bakery, guesthouses, shops, and other businesses serving fishermen, merchants, and seasonal workers.

Kalvåg had 52 salting mills with a combined capacity of 35,340 barrels, reflecting the scale of the local herring trade.

Several historic waterfront structures associated with today’s Knutholmen date to around 1880, including an old boathouse brought from Bergen and restored wharfside buildings.

The Fosse family’s grandfather came to Kalvåg in 1952 to operate the grocery store, beginning the family’s long connection to the village and future hotel.

The herring industry declined due to overfishing, transforming Kalvåg’s economy and altering the use of its historic waterfront buildings.

By 1989, the quay had closed and deteriorated, prompting the Fosse family to help revive the pier, sea houses, fishermen’s cabins, and local coastal heritage.

The family restored old sea houses and fishermen’s cabins while adding new apartments, transforming the historic waterfront into a family-run hotel rooted in Kalvåg’s maritime past.

Knutholmen Hotell was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide. Historic Hotels Worldwide is a prestigious collection of historic treasures, including more than 300 legendary historic hotels including many former castles, chateaus, palaces, academies, haciendas, villas, monasteries, and other historic lodging spanning ten centuries. Knutholmen Hotell was certified as a Miljøfyrtårn environmentally friendly business and named Company of the Year within Tourism in Sogn og Fjordane.

1860s

1870

1871

1880

1952

1960s

1989

2000s

2013