Up until 1942, Telavåg was a small and little known fishing community out on the coast. Its brave inhabitants and seamen were used to the sea, which made Telavåg the perfect location for the North Sea traffic, the illegal boat traffic between Norway and the UK during World War II. This was also to prove fateful for Telavåg.
One April day in 1942, two agents from the UK arrived in Telavåg. They were kept hidden by the locals. An informer got wind of this and informed the Gestapo. Fighting broke out when they arrived in Telavåg. One of the Norwegian agents and two Gestapo officers were killed. The occupation forces exacted a terrible revenge a few days later. Every house, outhouse and boathouse was blown up and razed to the ground. Women, children and the elderly were initially interned at Storetveit in Bergen, then later at Framnes in Hardanger. All the men aged between 16 and 60 were sent to German concentration camps. Almost half of them never came back.
Exhibitions
The museum has a new permanent exhibition about the Telavåg tragedy and North Sea traffic during World War II, and changing exhibitions that focus on war and peace. Visitors can see rare artefacts and authentic photos and can borrow free audio guides in Norwegian, English and German.
Read more about the World War II history in the Bergen region here.
Activities and facilities:
Film:
Learn more by watching the museum film ‘the Telavåg tragedy’.
Digital guided tour with historic app:
The museum is a monument to those from Telavåg who lost their lives. You can use the mobile phone app ‘Telavåg 1942’ to guide you around the sites of interest in Telavåg. The app is available in Norwegian and English.
Experience nature:
You can combine a visit to the museum with a walk on one of the many walking trails in the area. The museum can also arrange for a guide to accompany you on a walk on the beautiful North Sea Trail.
Museum café and shop
The museum shop sells books and a good range of gift items and souvenirs. Many of the items are produced locally.
You can enjoy spectacular views of the sea and the rebuilt houses of Telavåg from the café. It has a large terrace where you can sit when the weather is fine. Freshly-made pancakes and cakes are on the menu every day, and groups that book in advance can request a more varied menu.
How to get to the museum:
By bus from Bergen bus station:
Take bus number 459 to Telavåg. The bus will be named "Sotra sør". The bus stop at the museum is called Nipa Byggefelt.
Bus from Bergen Monday - Friday at 09:42 and at 11:30. Saturday at 10:55 and Sunday at 10:40.
Return from Telavåg (Nipa Byggefelt) Monday - Friday at 13:14, 15:31 or 17:16. Saturday at 15:23 and Sunday at 15:03
Timetable valid from 24 June - 11 August 2024:
Bus from Bergen Monday - Friday at 09:55 and at 11:55. Saturday at 10:55 and Sunday at 10:40.
Return from Telavåg (Nipa Byggefelt) Monday - Friday at 13:18, 15:18 or 17:18. Saturday at 15:23 and Sunday at 15:03
The bus takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. We recommend that you check the times as skyss.no before traveling.
If you have a Bergen Card, you travel for free on the bus to Telavåg. The Bergen Card also gives free entry to the museum.
By car:
Follow the Rv 555 road from Bergen and turn left at the roundabout after the Kolltveit Tunnel. Drive straight ahead past Fjell, Tellnes, Skogsvågskiftet and Hammarsland. Then turn right after Kørelen, a large lake on the right, and follow the signs towards Telavåg. The North Sea Traffic Museum is on the left before you come to Telavåg. It is an approx. 40-minute drive from Bergen.
Conferences, meetings and catering:
The museum has an auditorium and meeting room, and is a suitable location for conferences, seminars, meetings, concerts etc. Catering companies of your choice can deliver food to the event.
Facilities: (maximum number)
The café: 100 guests
Part of café: 25 guests
Receptions (the whole museum): 200 guests
Auditorium: 82 guests
Meeting room: 10 guests
The museum is universally designed.