Juvo
Juvo is a stone figurine from the Gullstein couple.
Germund Steinhoggar
The story of the stone figurines of the Gullstein couple begins with Germund Knutsson Gullstein, who was married to Guri H. Gullstein. Germund got into trouble and was involved in fights in the village. Among other things, he was involved in the farmers' settlement in Oslo, and it became clear that it was best for him to get away from people and noise, especially to avoid a large fine he received during the uprising. Therefore, he decided to start a small farm on Gullstein's plot. This happened between 1739 and 1818.
Germund built himself a stone house and bought some cows. He was very skilled with stone and could build fences, roads and stone houses. For his work, he even received an award from the Danish Union.
To fill his time, he also built a great road between Fossgard farm and Slåtto farm. This road was widely used, and it gave Germund a perfect opportunity to stay up to date on news and buy goods. He also hoped that his wife would use this road to reunite with him.
Along the road you can see a small stone fence that follows the road, which was unusual at the time. There is also a stone carving at a place called "The Chair", where one can imagine Germund sitting and enjoying the sun while waiting for traveling merchants.
Germund lived there for about 10 to 15 years, and during that time, he also made a great sculpture of his wife and himself. It was originally in the barn, but the family has later moved it to the place where he lived. In the remains that are believed to have been the barn, there is an unusual cabinet in the wall and inscriptions, including from 1946.
Coal pits
Along the road that Germund built, there are also five coal pits and an iron works plant from the Iron Age and the Middle Ages, so it was not uncommon for people to travel in this area. Closer to Highway 7 there are three more. Today, there are only a few coal pits left, and the iron plant is gone.
The coal made 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 of bog ore in the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. Feel free to visit the Fekjo area if you want to discover more coal pits.
The many coal pits and iron works show that more iron was produced than was needed locally. Pig iron was probably an important commodity for the people of Ustedalen in the Iron Age and the Middle Ages.
Pay your respects to this historic area - preserve it for future generations
The story of the stone figurines of the Gullstein couple begins with Germund Knutsson Gullstein, who was married to Guri H. Gullstein. Germund got into trouble and was involved in fights in the village. Among other things, he was involved in the farmers' settlement in Oslo, and it became clear that it was best for him to get away from people and noise, especially to avoid a large fine he received during the uprising. Therefore, he decided to start a small farm on Gullstein's plot. This happened between 1739 and 1818.
Germund built himself a stone house and bought some cows. He was very skilled with stone and could build fences, roads and stone houses. For his work, he even received an award from the Danish Union.
To fill his time, he also built a great road between Fossgard farm and Slåtto farm. This road was widely used, and it gave Germund a perfect opportunity to stay up to date on news and buy goods. He also hoped that his wife would use this road to reunite with him.
Along the road you can see a small stone fence that follows the road, which was unusual at the time. There is also a stone carving at a place called "The Chair", where one can imagine Germund sitting and enjoying the sun while waiting for traveling merchants.
Germund lived there for about 10 to 15 years, and during that time, he also made a great sculpture of his wife and himself. It was originally in the barn, but the family has later moved it to the place where he lived. In the remains that are believed to have been the barn, there is an unusual cabinet in the wall and inscriptions, including from 1946.
Coal pits
Along the road that Germund built, there are also five coal pits and an iron works plant from the Iron Age and the Middle Ages, so it was not uncommon for people to travel in this area. Closer to Highway 7 there are three more. Today, there are only a few coal pits left, and the iron plant is gone.
The coal made 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 of bog ore in the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. Feel free to visit the Fekjo area if you want to discover more coal pits.
The many coal pits and iron works show that more iron was produced than was needed locally. Pig iron was probably an important commodity for the people of Ustedalen in the Iron Age and the Middle Ages.
Pay your respects to this historic area - preserve it for future generations