Northern Norway » Hamsuns Rike

Experience the Realm of Knut Hamsun!
The Knut Hamsuns Center was opended in 2009 and is located at Presteid in Hamarøy. The architect Steven Holl has envisioned the building as “a body, a battleground of invisible forces”, resembling both Hamsun himself and his literary characters.

In the Realm of Knut Hamsun, the exciting stories are lined up. The Realm of Knut Hamsun takes you from the beautiful sea to majestic mountains, from the Stone Age to recent cultural history, from Sámi traditions to sea eagle safaris – in the surroundings by which Knut Hamsun allowed himself to be inspired.

In the Realm of Knut Hamsun
The Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature, Knut Hamsun, lived here, and many of his books are strongly influenced by these surroundings. Hamsun’s childhood home, rural and other museums, galleries and old trading centres tell about life in the Realm of Knut Hamsun. With beautiful churches, lighthouses, music and fishing festivals and many market days, the Realm of Knut Hamsun offers a variety of exciting adventures.

The nature
In the Realm of Knut Hamsun you can choose from a multitude of nature adventures. Come along on a Northern Lights safari, or how about a fishing trip at sea, in rivers or in fresh water? Start walking or strap on your skis and move about in the fantastic scenery. Let your kayak glide across still waters, or take on the challenges as a mountain climber on Stetind – Norway’s national mountain. Visit Rago National Park, with its wild nature and rugged landscape. Or simply enjoy the peace and quiet. The nature adventures are queued up in the Realm of Knut Hamsun.

The history
The Realm of Knut Hamsun has a 9000-year history with people in a lush landscape. Relics, rock carvings, Vikings and WW II fill the area with exciting stories. The Sámi culture offers of its diversity, and the Arran Lule-Sámi Centre communicates local Sámi values and traditions.