About this place
Astruptunet is the former farmstead of painter Nikolai Astrup, set on the shore of Lake Jølstravatnet in Vassenden, in Sunnfjord municipality (Vestland, Norway). Today it is a museum where you can see the place where one of Norway's notable artists lived and worked.
What is Astruptunet?
It is a cluster of buildings and land on the hilly lakeshore, surrounded by lush greenery. In 1912 Nikolai Astrup bought Sandalstrand, an old cotter's farm now known as Astruptunet. Over about fifteen years he reshaped the buildings and the surrounding land into his own project, where house, garden and landscape became part of his creative work.
What will you see?
The homestead offers a journey through Astrup's life and work. His works shown here are on deposit from Sunnfjord municipality. The collection passed by descent to Engel Astrup (1892-1966), and Jølster municipality acquired it between 1965 and 2020. Since 2020 the museum has been run by Sunnfjord municipality.
A separate thread is the textile art of Engel Astrup, which has received renewed attention in recent years. It is a good complement to the painting, because it shows the creative output of a whole family rather than a single artist.
When can you visit?
The museum is open from mid-May to mid-September. There is a café and a gift shop on site. Check opening hours and ticket prices on the museum's website before you go, as they can change.
Getting there and accessibility
The access road from the parking lot is a steep, narrow gravel path without guard rails, built by Nikolai Astrup himself. It is not recommended for wheelchair users. Wear sturdy shoes and allow some extra time for the walk up.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Astruptunet? On Lake Jølstravatnet, in Vassenden, Sunnfjord municipality, Vestland county in western Norway.
Is it suitable for families? Yes. The homestead tells the story of the artist's life and work and appeals to art lovers and families alike. Just keep the steep path from the parking lot in mind.
Is there a café? Yes, there is a café and a gift shop on site.
What else is nearby? About 20 km from Astruptunet is the Eikaas Gallery, which hosted an exhibition on Jølster weaving.
When is the best time to visit? During the season, from mid-May to mid-September, when the museum is open.
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