Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park
In Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park there are many cultural monuments from both prehistoric and historical times.
Burial mounds
The burial mounds in the area date from the Viking Age. We know this because 10 of the approximately 20 burial mounds were examined in 1923. Objects found in some of the mounds were all from the 900s, i.e. from the Viking Age. Among the finds were a small iron axe blade, a sewing needle and a key to a shrine. The interesting thing is that most of the examined burial mounds turned out to be women's graves.
The hiking route around the Ustedalsfjord runs through the area, making it easily accessible on foot.
Coal pits
Within the cultural heritage park, seven coal pits and an iron plant have been registered. Today, only a few coal pits remain, and the iron ore plant has disappeared. The coal produced in the pits was either used for iron extraction or in the forge on the farm. Throughout Ustedalen there has been an unusually high level of activity in iron extraction from bog ore in the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. The many coal pits and iron works testify to the fact that more iron was produced than the local demand dictated. Pig iron was probably an important commodity for the people of Ustedalen in both the Iron Age and the Middle Ages.
Hay barn
At Fekjo there is an old hay barn and a barn. Up until about 80 years ago, there was a farm here. After mowing, the hay was stored in the barn before it was transported to the farm by horse and sleigh on winter roads. An old stone fence in the park probably marks the distinction between hay fields and pastures.
The mowing and grazing on Fekjo created an open cultural landscape. After the farm farming ceased, the area gradually grew more again, and another type of vegetation took over. The cultural heritage park is now seeking to return the area to the old cultural landscape by carrying out annual mowing and letting sheep graze in the park in spring and autumn.
In Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park you can also experience exciting landscape art.
The burial mounds in the area date from the Viking Age. We know this because 10 of the approximately 20 burial mounds were examined in 1923. Objects found in some of the mounds were all from the 900s, i.e. from the Viking Age. Among the finds were a small iron axe blade, a sewing needle and a key to a shrine. The interesting thing is that most of the examined burial mounds turned out to be women's graves.
The hiking route around the Ustedalsfjord runs through the area, making it easily accessible on foot.
Coal pits
Within the cultural heritage park, seven coal pits and an iron plant have been registered. Today, only a few coal pits remain, and the iron ore plant has disappeared. The coal produced in the pits was either used for iron extraction or in the forge on the farm. Throughout Ustedalen there has been an unusually high level of activity in iron extraction from bog ore in the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. The many coal pits and iron works testify to the fact that more iron was produced than the local demand dictated. Pig iron was probably an important commodity for the people of Ustedalen in both the Iron Age and the Middle Ages.
Hay barn
At Fekjo there is an old hay barn and a barn. Up until about 80 years ago, there was a farm here. After mowing, the hay was stored in the barn before it was transported to the farm by horse and sleigh on winter roads. An old stone fence in the park probably marks the distinction between hay fields and pastures.
The mowing and grazing on Fekjo created an open cultural landscape. After the farm farming ceased, the area gradually grew more again, and another type of vegetation took over. The cultural heritage park is now seeking to return the area to the old cultural landscape by carrying out annual mowing and letting sheep graze in the park in spring and autumn.
In Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park you can also experience exciting landscape art.