Telemark

Telemark means "the land of the Teler". The tribe called Teler lived there long before the Viking era.

The county stretches from the coastal lowland near the Skagerak in the southeast to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau in the northwest. Between these extremes you'll find numerous valleys, most of them containing long and narrow lakes.

Before the modern network of roads was developed, inner Telemark had very little contact with the central government and the people who lived along the coast - apart from the logs they sent down the river. These once remote parts of Norway have retained a uniqueness that dates back to their days of isolation.

Telemark's Bunad

The bunad is the traditional dress of Norway.

Each area of the country developed its own distinctive style.

The picture on the left is an example of the Bunad, Telemark style.

Bunad website

Fyresdal is the old district in Telemark where Tarje grew up.
Pop. 1,454; Area 1,274 sq. km. (490 sq. mi.)
Fyresdal is the westernmost township and the westernmost valley in Telemark. For many years it was also the most isolated. Nature in this area is characterized by large and beautiful Fyresvatn, or "Pine Lake," the lake is 26 km. long, dotted with larger and smaller islands and surrounded by hills and mountains. The village of Moland is the municipal center for Fyresdal.

The Fyresdal District Museum is located in Moland on a site marked with prehistoric grave mounds. In the new museum building there are displays of household items, utensils, farm equipment, folk art, etc. Old buildings representing traditional styles from various parts of the township have been set up on the museum grounds. These include cottages, storehouses, a bathhouse, a summer kitchen and a flour mill.

The Skei Stone (Kjeisteinene) is a large stone with runic inscriptions from 1100 located at Moland just north of Fyresdal center. According to legend, people from miles around met here to fight and race. Originally there were four such stones here, placed at each corner of a square and forming a sort of "ring" for combatants.

Moland Church

Moland Church in Fyresdal

The Grover family worshipped at Veum Church when Tarje was born, and Ole was confirmed at the "Old Pilgrim Church" at Heggland.

Moland Church was built in 1843, just three years before Kristi and her children emigrated. Tarje was confirmed here just a few weeks before leaving for America. A stave church, torn down in 1662, had previously stood on the site.

Moland church contains several valuable items from earlier churches, among these 2 brass candlesticks from 1661 and a Bible from 1633. The altarpiece from 1738 comes from the old church at Heggland.

Skrei Farm

All the buildings have been torn down, but this is an old picture of the original

Skrei farm that Tarje's father Aslak inherited when Aslak's father died.

Skrei Farm