Rygnestad museum

About the museum

Rygnestad is a nordigard (northern farm) in Valle in Setesdal with roots back to the Middle Ages. The timber in the oldest part of the living-room building comes from a house that may be older than 1350, while the barn was built as late as the 20th century. People lived on the farm until 1919. The living-room building and two storehouse lofts were protected in 1923, and the farm has been a museum since 1940.

Rygnestad has Trihåglopt, the only loft with three full floors left in the valley, where the third floor was built first. The second loft is built of unusually large logs. The museum cares for medieval art which, according to tradition, was brought home by Vonde-Åsmund after service as a mercenary on the Continent.

The farm and the surrounding landscape are one of 32 selected cultural landscapes in Norway. Rygnestad museum is part of Setesdalsmuseet. In 2026 the museum is closed for restoration.

Highlights

• Trihåglopt, a loft with three full floors
• Farm with roots back to the Middle Ages
• Medieval art linked to Vonde-Åsmund
• Living-room building and loft protected in 1923
• One of Norway’s 32 selected cultural landscapes

Permanent exhibition

• Gården Rygnestad – Northern farm with medieval timber, lofts and a living-room building, plus medieval art from the farm.

Founded

1940

Operated by

Setesdalsmuseet (Aust-Agder museum og arkiv IKS)

Admission & discounts

The price applies when the museum is open.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The farm is in Valle in Setesdal.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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