The whale on Andenes in Vesterålen can be prevented with Iron Age cultural monuments – NRK

On the outskirts of Andenes in Vesterålen, the sea is more than 1,000 meters deep.

This makes it the only place in Europe where you can see different species of whales throughout the year.

If investors and enthusiasts get what they dream of, Andenes will also be the place to experience and learn more about the whale, and see how to care for the whale and the sea.

This is where The Whale experience center in Andøy is planned.

The museum has been planned for three years and will cost just over NOK 400 million.

The project has already generated great international interest and, among other things, is called a ridiculously cool new whale attraction by the British The Mirror.

But now the whole project can hang on a thin thread.

Will decide if they can build

Remains of Norway’s largest agricultural mound from the Iron Age have been found at the site where The Whale is planned.

Despite the uncertainty, Mayor Knut Nordmo (Sp) is optimistic.

– We work to know the history that is hidden here. And then it will form the basis for us to build on the same land, says the mayor of Andøy to NRK.

This protected agricultural mound has already increased the museum’s price by NOK 23 million.

And in a few days it can become a great reef in the sea for the entire whaling center.

The Nordland County Township will then respond if The Whale is allowed to build.

The project is now in a crucial phase. This is why nail biting is now in the local community.

– It’s pretty clear there is a major conflict between the planned measure and the extent of the farm mound, says archaeologist Trine Johnson in Nordland County Township.

– This is the source we have

The head of the section of cultural monuments in Nordland, Geir Davidsen, says that Andenes was the largest fishing village in northern Norway in the Middle Ages, and that remains can be found here after the settlement.

– These are remains of houses, structures and piles of garbage that over time have accumulated up to several meters with cultural layers that remain intact and tell this story, says Davidsen.

– Why is it so important to take care of these cultural monuments?

– Cultural monuments are perhaps our most important source of life lived in prehistory. Written sources date back a few hundred years, while we have settled in Nordland for the last 12,000 years. That is, what we find of clues is the source we have.

I hope the state contributes

Since the beginning in 2017, the locals in Vesterålen have been very involved with The Whale whale museum.

Here, local patriots have spit money on the project.

– We must achieve this. I think this will be built, says Rune Rydningen.

It is one of those who has invested. Now Rydningen hopes that the state will also join in and contribute more as time goes on.

– I would dare to say that this is one of the most exciting projects Norway can spend money on.