Hitra - Dolm medieval church and Hopsjø marked town
Phone
+47 46488964Dolm medieval church
Dolmsundet (strait) is like an east-west going canal between Dolmøya and Hitra "mainland". On both sides of the strait there are a lot of cultural history, the earliest examples dates all the way back to the Stone Age. Around a hundred places of residence from the Stone Age is registered, as well as a similar number of graves from the Iron Age. Multiple grave cairns from the Bronze Age has also been found.
From the Middle Ages (around year 1000 - 1537) there was two church sites in Dolmsundet, Dolm and Undås. Dolm Medieval Church is still standing, and is one of the oldest buildings that is stil in use on the coast of Trøndelag. Undås Church has been gone for a long time, and only the name of the place bear the memory of the church today. Dolm was the main church at Hitra until it burned in 1920. It was re-inaugurated in 1992, and the church with its surroundings appears today as a gem in the landscape.
The old cultural landscape around Dolm Church is well suited for hikers and is marked many places with information boards.
In Dolmsundet you can also experience a copy of a longhouse from the Iron Age. It is located in a cultural heritage park with residential places and burial grounds from prehistoric time, and is looked after by Dolmsundet Hotel.
Handelstedet Hopsjø
Right on the other side of the strait from Dolm Church is Hopsjø Market Village, with a history that goes back to the 18th century. Here is perhaps the oldest preserved shop in Norway, where it's possible to buy souvenirs, traditional candy and local handicrafts. The storage house in the marked town is made into a restaurant with focus on locally sourced food and drink. On the harbor there is an exhibition from the golden era of whale hunting in the area with artifacts and pictures from the whale industry at Hestnes.
The organization "Nattseilerne" is also based at Hopsjø. This organization takes care of old wooden boats, and contributes to the preserving of culture along the coast.
The Coastal Museum at Hitra
The museum offers an exiting insight into the old coastal culture, as well as modern coastal culture. Well worth a visit.
