Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park

The burial mounds in the area date back to the Viking Age. In 1923, 10 of the approximately 20 burial mounds were examined and objects were found that were all from the 900s. Among the finds were a small axe blade made of iron, a sewing needle and a key to a shrine. Most of the examined burial mounds in the cultural heritage park were women's graves.

The hiking route around the Ustedalsfjord runs through the area so that the area is easily accessible on foot.

Coal pits
Within the cultural heritage park, 7 coal pits and an iron plant have been registered. Today, there are only a few coal pits left, and the iron plant is gone. The coal that was made in the pits was either used for iron extraction or in the forge on the farm. Throughout Ustedalen there has been great activity in iron extraction of bog ore in the Viking Age and the Middle Ages, and in 1946 87 iron mining sites and as many as 810 coal pits had been registered between Geilo and Ustaoset. The many coal pits and iron works show that more iron was made than was needed locally. Pig iron was an important commodity for the people of Ustedalen in the Iron Age and the Middle Ages.

Hay barn
At Fekjo there is an old hay barn and a barn. Right up until about 80 years ago, there was a mountain farm here. After mowing, the hay was stored in the barn before it was driven to the farm by horse and sleigh on winter roads. An old stone fence in the park is probably a separation between hay and pasture.

The mowing and grazing at Fekjo led to an open cultural landscape. After the farm operation ended, the area gradually grew more and more again and a different type of vegitation took over. In the cultural heritage park, an attempt is made to bring the area back to the old cultural landscape by carrying out annual mowing and by allowing sheep to graze in the park in spring and autumn.

In Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park you can also experience exciting landscape art.