Herøy and Herøy Old Church Site and Herøy Museum
Phone
+ 47 954 56 954There has been two churches on the island. In the Middle Ages, most likely during the 12th century, it was raised a stone church in romanesque style on the east side of the island. The church was located on the highest point and was visible from the trading route. Today, only ruins remains.
The same year that the medieval church was taken down, it was built a new and larger log church. Stones from the previous church was recycled in the foundation wall in the new church and a small stone fence around the cemetery. The new church stood on the island until 1916, when it was taken down and moved to Fosnavåg.
Not far from where the church stood is Klosterhaugen (Monastery Hill). It is likely that a small building stood here at some point, but most probably not a monastery, as the name suggests.
During the 18th and 19 century, a market village emerged at Herøy, and a ferry boat and mail deliverance to the island was established. The herring industry was the foundation for the market village, that thrived on the island in 150 years, before the church was taken down in 1916.
In 1976 a bridge was opened to Herøy. This means that today one can reach the island both boat and car. One can still visit the ruins of the two churches that once stood on the island.
At Herøy you can also visit Herøy Coastal Museum, a part of Sunnmøre Museum Association. It is the old market village from the 19th century with a variety of buildings, interior, fishing equipment and boats that is the theme for the exhibition. The museum is an important carrier of the history of the island. Here it is also possible to rent facilities and boats.
http://www.heroykystmuseum.no
Herøyspelet is an annual historical play that is staged on the island every July. Herøy Amfi Theater is built especially for this play. The Amfi theater has room for around 1000 people. Here you can see houses built in a viking style. These frame the amfi theater in a way that makes the audience feel like they are sitting in the middle of a viking settlement. The theater is accessible for wheelchair users.