In the small town of Grimstad in southern Norway you can visit the houses of two of Norway's most famous poets: Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun.
Literary Southern Norway: Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun in Grimstad
In the small town of Grimstad in southern Norway, two of Norway's most famous poets have lived in parts of their lives.
Henrik Ibsen
(1828-1906) came to Grimstad at the age of 15 when he had just been confirmed. He began as an apprentice at the town's pharmacy in 1844, and then worked as a pharmacy assistant. In April 1850, two days before leaving Grimstad, he released his first play "Catilina". This became the beginning of an adventurous fame. Today, Henrik Ibsen is known for plays such as "Peer Gynt", "A Doll's House" (Nora) and "Hedda Gabler" which still are played all over the world.
The Ibsen Museum in Grimstad tells the story of how Henrik Ibsen became a playwright and about his first play. The museum is open during the summer. Address: Henrik Ibsens gate 14, Grimstad.
Knut Hamsun
(1859-1952) moved to Nørholm mansion outside Grimstad in 1918. He lived here for 34 years until his death. In 1920 he received the Nobel Literature Prize for the novel "Growth of the Soil". Hamsun wrote several novels while living in Nørholm, including the trilogy about August. During World War II, he became politically involved with the Nazis. He was convicted of this in 1947. Over the next few years, Grimstad Museum will open a Hamsun museum in the premises where the lawsuit was brought against him.
There is an opportunity to visit Hamsun's write place at Nørholm mansion in the summer. Grimstad Museum is responsible for the guided tour and tickets are purchased on Grimstad Museum website.
Contact
Grimstad Museum
Phone: +47 37 04 04 90