Hvalsmoen, Military heritage site in Ringerike, Norway
Hvalsmoen is a former military camp in Ringerike containing more than 100 buildings spread across two main sections. The structures include barracks, training facilities, storage buildings, and administrative areas that served the armed forces for generations.
This site was established in 1893 as a training center for Norway's military engineering troops. Military operations continued for more than a century until activities stopped in 2004.
The buildings at this site show practical military architecture from the early 1900s, with forms designed for function rather than decoration. You can see how soldiers once lived and trained through the layout and design of these structures.
The site sits about three kilometers northeast of Hønefoss and is easy to reach by car. Some buildings are open to visitors, but you should check ahead to see which areas are accessible and plan your route through the grounds.
The grounds contain specialized storage buildings and ammunition magazines from World War I, which are rare examples of early military logistics architecture. These structures show how armies stored supplies and weapons safely in those early days.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
