Early Beginnings On The Lofoten Islands
Establishing the history of the archipelago of the Lofoten Islands takes us back through various milestone events and happenings through the ages.
To begin with, a part of the Lofoten Islands, the region known as Vågan, holds the distinction of being the first established town in the region of northern Norway. Since proof of other settlements cannot be traced and established, and documentation regarding Vågan exists, it is credited to be the first recognized town formation. It has been established that the town formation existed during the beginning of the Viking Age and perhaps even before that. The town of Vågan is found on the eastern region of Lofoten, on the southern coast. The locality is known as the Vågan municipality.
Role Of The Lofoten Islands In Fisheries Through History
An important part in tracing the history of the Lofoten Islands is understanding the role of the archipelago in the fisheries industries through the ages. The islands have played an integral role in the industry for over 1000 years and have been recognized as the centre of cod fisheries. The role of the islands especially come into play during the winter season. It is in the colder months that the cod fish migrate southward, from the Barents Sea in the north. The fish come into the waters around the Lofoten Islands to spawn.
Development Of The Rorbu Cabin Culture
The development and construction of the Rorbu cabins forms an integral part of the history of the Lofoten Islands. The construction of the cabins began around the year 1120, when King Øistein ordered their construction. Even back then, the islands were an important centre for the fishing industry and the cold winter season was known as the cod season. Given the fame and abundance associated with the fishery industry around the islands, people from far off places would travel across the waters to come to the Lofoten Islands, so as to make the most of the fishing opportunities. In order to be able to make the most of the incoming fishermen and facilitate the industry further, the king ordered the building of these temporary cabin homes for the visitors. The term ‘rorbu’ can be roughly translated to mean ‘small house for those who row out’. These houses, built with two rooms and on stilts near the water, transcended from purely utilitarian to tourist purposes over the last few decades. Now, one can hire simple cabins or extremely luxurious ones to experience the rich culture and history of the Lofoten Islands.
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