Foldvik in Gratangen

Foldvik in Gratangen is a cultural environment by the sea, shaped by fishing, hunting and life on the coast. The area consists of old piers, netracks and quays, and the cultural monuments are signposted so that guests can walk between buildings and learn more about the maritime activities that have characterized Gratangen. Foldvik played a central role in herring fishing, Arctic fishing and Arctic hunting from the beginning of the 1900s. Many shipping companies were located at the piers in Foldvik, and the Håkon Jensen pier was built in 1920 by skipper Håkon Jensen. The pier was moved to its current location on Nessekaia in 1952, at the same time as the double net rack and quay were built. The net racks are among the most striking landmarks in the place. They were used to hang up large purse seines to dry, and in the pier loft the net finers had a work room where the nets were repaired. In Foldvik, three net racks have been preserved as monuments to earlier work along the coast. Tanks from some of Gratangen's Arctic ships are also part of the environment and are reminiscent of a time when hunting, the sea and hard work set the rhythm for the local community. Behind the pier is Gammelbutikken. The building was originally erected as a five-bore boathouse around the turn of the last century, before being converted into a shop in 1923. Later, it has housed a telegraph, post office, doctor's office, freezer and social security office, among other things. Today, Foldvik is still a vibrant meeting place, with a café, outdoor seating at Nessekaia and Foldvik market and coastal culture festival every August.