Hummerparken Espevær

About the museum

The Hummerparken at Espevær was built in 1887 by Christian Bjelland from Stavanger to hold lobsters for export to the Netherlands and England. At that time lobster fishing along the west coast was rich, especially around Espevær, and towards the end of the 1800s over 800 tonnes of lobster were fished along the coast.

The first construction phase included the western canal and was not roofed over. In 1932 the park was extended with another canal and roofed over to protect the lobsters, and the roof was painted white to keep the heat out in summer. The park then had a floor area of 950 square metres and 1,500 square metres of roof, and could hold about 24,000 lobsters. The building was made without drawings, based on the carpenter's experience, and has many angles and different heights. The architect Helge Scelderup calls it “hummerens katedral” (the lobster's cathedral).

By 1959 deliveries to the park had become so small that operations were halted, and the building fell into disrepair for many years. Scelderup obtained funds for restoration, and the park was completed in restored form in the early 1990s. The restoration was rewarded with a Europa Nostra diploma.

Today the building is protected by Riksantikvaren, is administered by a foundation and runs as an active museum and aquarium. The park is permitted to keep live lobsters all year round. On the guided tour, visitors hear the story and take a raft trip through the park, where they can see fish such as saithe (sei), cod (torsk) and skate, and see pots (teiner), water traps (vannkikkerter) and floating gear from the lobster fishery.

Highlights

• Hummerparken from 1887, the largest of its kind in the country, protected by Riksantikvaren
• Raft trip through the “cathedrals” with live fish and lobsters
• Pots (teiner), water traps and gear from the lobster fishery
• Guided tour and storytelling
• Sale of souvenirs, coffee and cakes

Permanent exhibition

• Hummerparken – Guided tour of the preserved lobster park with a raft trip, pots, water traps and gear from the lobster fishery.

Founded

1887

Admission & discounts

Prices are given for the summer season. Visits outside opening hours cost at least NOK 400 by arrangement.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Child ticket NOK 30.

Getting there & parking

The island is car-free; parking is available at Eidesvik, where the boat departs. See the timetables at espevar.no.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Sale of souvenirs, coffee and cakes in the park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit