Art Nouveau town Sandefjord

Sandefjord has a lesser-known side waiting to be discovered in its historic architecture. Throughout the town centre, you can find buildings with decorative façades, curved details, wrought-iron balconies and features inspired by the Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century. Many of these buildings were constructed after devastating fires changed the town. Look up as you walk through the streets, and you will discover traces of this history in the architecture around you.

Discover Art Nouveau above the shop windows
It is easy to miss Sandefjord's architectural details when walking along its shopping streets. But above the shop windows, you can spot decorative window frames, elaborate brickwork, curved shapes and wrought-iron balcony railings. Art Nouveau drew inspiration from the lines and shapes found in nature. Alongside historicism, which borrowed architectural features from earlier periods, it influenced the new buildings constructed as Sandefjord was rebuilt. The streets around Storgata, Kongens gate, Kirkegata and Chr. Hvidts plass are good places to look for examples of architecture from this period.

The fires that changed Sandefjord
Sandefjord experienced major town fires in 1882, 1900 and 1915. The most destructive occurred on 16 March 1900, when large parts of the town centre were destroyed. Among the buildings lost were the former church and part of the town school. Following the fire, the town centre was redesigned with straighter streets, new blocks and regulations requiring brick and masonry construction. Architects and craftspeople arrived to help rebuild Sandefjord, creating much of the historic streetscape that can still be seen today. Another major fire in 1915 affected buildings in Storgata. The architecture now reflects several periods of rebuilding and town development.

Take an architectural walk through town
A good place to begin is Chr. Hvidts plass. From here, follow Storgata through the town centre and look for buildings from different periods, with decorative details that reflect Sandefjord's reconstruction and development as a trading town. Continue through Kongens gate and Kirkegata, where you can see how Art Nouveau and historicism influenced the architecture. One interesting stop is Sandefjord Church, completed in 1903 after the previous church was destroyed in the fire of 1900. You can also admire St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at Chr. Hvidts plass. Designed by architect Haldor Larsen Børve and built in 1917–1918, the building is a good example of Art Nouveau architecture in Sandefjord.

Combine your walk with more of Sandefjord
An architectural walk is easy to combine with a coffee break in the town centre or a stroll towards the waterfront. Follow Jernbanealleen towards Badeparken, a green public park with sculptures and walking paths. From here, the harbour and the Whaling Monument are nearby.

Plan your visit
Sandefjord's Art Nouveau architecture is spread throughout the historic town centre. There is no single museum building or entrance to the area.
You can explore the streets throughout the year, free of charge and without booking. Allow time to wander through several streets, as many of the most interesting architectural details are found above street level. Sandar Historielag, the local history association, has published a booklet about Sandefjord's Art Nouveau architecture. Visit the Sandar Historielag website for information about the association and its local history publications.