Grøtøy handelssted, Heritage trading post in Steigen Municipality, Norway.
Grøtøy handelssted is a wooden building with 22 rooms located on an island near Vestfjorden facing the Norwegian Sea. The structure displays the typical architecture of a large trading establishment with multiple levels and numerous functional spaces.
The trading post was founded in 1690 and grew into a major commercial center in Northern Norway over the following centuries. The location shaped the economic development of the region significantly.
The site retains its identity as a former trading hub and now serves as a creative workspace where artists develop work throughout the year. Visitors notice how the place bridges its commercial past with contemporary artistic practice in this remote location.
The building receives visitors on Sunday mornings from late June to mid-August with guided tours through the rooms. Check ahead about specific opening dates since visits vary with the season.
Fishing boats heading to the Lofoten cod fishery would stop here to stock supplies and conduct business dealings. This practice made the location a vibrant meeting point for seafarers and merchants from different regions.
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