The Vega World Heritage Centre, which is beautifully located at Gardsøy, documents the history and culture of the Vega islanders. Here you can gain fascinating insights into the lives of these fishermen-farmers, and about their centuries-old local tradition of protecting the eider ducks who come to nest here – a tradition that led to Vega being granted UNESCO’s World Heritage status.

A tribute to a unique cultural landscape and to the contribution of women

The Vega archipelago was inscribed on the UNESCO List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 2004. UNESCO’s justification states: “The Vega Archipelago reflects the way generations of fishermen-farmers have, over the past 1500 years, maintained a sustainable living in an inhospitable seascape near the Arctic Circle, based on the now-unique practice of harvesting eider down. This status is also a tribute to the contribution women make to the down-harvesting process.”

Natural and cultural values in the world heritage

Vega’s unique cultural landscape is the result of humankind’s interaction with nature over a great length of time. Particular emphasis is placed on the unique tradition of guarding the migrating eider ducks that nest here, and harvesting and processing their down.

The exhibitions

Tidslinjen i utstillingen Ville vakre Vega Visithelgeland

The visitors centre documents the natural landscape and the cultural heritage of the Vega World Heritage Site. As a visitor, you can follow the audio guide or opt for a personal guided tour of the exhibitions.

Activities

The centre offers a wide range of activities. Children and youth will find lots to do in the Workshop, or they can join an underwater safari along the Snorkelling Trail at Eidemstranda. On Facebook you can check out more of the activities offered.

Verdensarvkafeen en sommerdag Torleif Hansen

The World Heritage Café

In the middle of the visitors centre is the World Heritage Café. Here you can enjoy a good meal while savouring a wonderful view of the sea and the islands to the northwest.
For reservations and inquiries, please call the café at tel. +47 902 21 989.

Explore more about the exciting experiences in Vega World Heritage Site

Get to know the the eider ducks and the people at Lånan

Address

Ærfuglveien 1, 8984 Vega, Norge

Check route with Entur

The World Heritage Café opens on April 28, but has some event evenings outside the opening hours that are announced. See the World Heritage Café’s facebook page for further info.

Vega World Heritage Center is located on Gardsøy, about 9 km from the speedboat quay on Rørøy and about 16 km from the ferry berth on Igerøy. From Gladstad on Vega, follow FV81 until you take off towards Holand on FV89, about 5 km from Gladstad.

To Vega you travel by speedboat from Brønnøysund or ferry from the mainland, Horn or Tjøtta ferry quay.

See the center’s activity calendar here
https://www.verdensarvvega.no/no/besok-oss

 

Takk for at du hjelper oss med å ta vare på naturen og lokalsamfunnene på Helgeland.

Takk for at du:

  • Praktiserer sporløs ferdsel, og tar med avfall og toalettpapir tilbake til nærmeste søppeldunk.
  • Planlegger toalettbesøk, slik at du får gjort det du må der det ikke er til sjenanse for andre.
  • Respekterer det lokale dyrelivet, holder hunden i bånd og holder god avstand til både ville og tamme dyr og fugler.
  • Respekterer privat eiendom, og holder avstand til private hus og hytter.
  • Viser godt båt-vett, holder god avstand til land, lav fart nært andre på vannet, inkludert dyr og fugler, og unngår unødig kjøring som skaper forstyrrende motorstøy.
  • Respekterer ferdsels- og ilandstigningsforbudet i sjøfuglereservatene i hekketiden.
  • Følger fjellvettreglene, og planlegger turer etter evne og erfaring.
  • Leier en erfaren guide på turene der du selv ikke har kunnskapen eller erfaringen som trengs for en trygg tur.
The Helgeland coast

National Geographic Magazine declared the Coastal Highway Fv17 (Kystriksveien) to be one of the world’s most magnificent scenic drives. This road is an official Norwegian Scenic Route Helgeland. UNESCO has recognised the unique coastal culture and given it World Heritage status. The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) has named Helgeland as Norway’s most beautiful coastal gem.

Discover the Helgeland Coast

Andre ting i nærheten