Dvergsøya
Coordinates: 58°06′37″N 8°03′28″E / 58.11028°N 8.05778°E
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Highest point | 20 metres (66 ft) |
| Administration | |
Dvergsøya is an island in the Kristiansandsfjord off Kristiansand, Norway. The island is used as a recreational area and is facilitated by wharves and toilets. To get to Dvergsøya is dependent on boat transport.[1][2][3] Dvergsøya is best known as the island where the Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Crown Princess Mette-Marit is on annual summer vacation with their children. However, the island's fairly dramatic history is less known.
History
Dvergsøya was originally a smallholding under the farm Dvergsnes, and there were farming on the island. In the 20th century built two wealthy men, Jebsen and Vogt from Kristiansand country houses (villas) on Dvergsøya.
Witch
Maren was a smallholders wife from Dvergsøya. She was arrested on April 20, 1670 in connection with the sinking of a ship bound for Jutland. There were several people involved in this case, all women. One of Maren's "accomplices" explained in court what should have happened. They had flown through the air down to the ship. There they met the devil, disguised as a priest. It was Maren who ensured that the boat sank. Maren denied the story, and was therefore doomed to undergo torture. Under torture, she confirmed the story and was the last witch in Norway to be sentenced to death and burned at the stake. The sentence was executed September 9 1670.[4]
Burglary, arson and murder
Jebsen's villa was the crime scene of an infamous crime. On the night of Easter Sunday in 1933 broke three men into Jebsen villa and set fire to the villa afterwards to hide the traces. One of the thieves and arsonists tried after the break to break with the other two. As punishment, they killed him by drowning him in a basin and dump him in the Kristiansandsfjord[4]
On the site of Jebsen’s villa are today only ruins.
World War II anti aircraft battery
The location of Dvergsøya at the entrance to Kristiansand made the island interesting also in a military context. During World War II the German occupants had an anti aircraft battery to protect the city of Kristiansand, consisting of six fixed anti-aircraft cannons on the south western part of the island. The foundations of the cannons are still visible.[5]
Royal rental contract
Vogt sold his villa. It was for many years used as a guest house.[6] Crown Princess Mette-Marit is originally from Kristiansand and the small family would also like to spend their vacations in the beautiful archipelago off Kristiansand and rent Vogt’s villa. Vogt’s villa is drawn by Arnstein Arneberg, the same architect that designed the Skaugum residence. In 2009 a rental contract was signed with the owner, the municipality of Kristiansand. A protection fence in the recreational area caused a political debate, but was built in spite of the protests.[7][8][9][10]
References
- ↑ Dvergsøya www.visitnorway.com (English)
- ↑ Sightseeing in the summer season:MS Blindleia (Norwegian)
- ↑ Timetable, MS Bragdøya, The City Center (pier 6) - Dvergsøya Summer boat (Norwegian)
- 1 2 Ferierer på skrekkens øy Se og Hør (Norwegian)
- ↑ Luftvernbatteriet på Dvergsøya Digitalt fortalt (Norwegian)
- ↑ Reddet Arneberg- villa fra forfall Aftenposten Published October 19, 2011 (Norwegian)
- ↑ Her er kronprinsparets nye feriested TV 2 (Norway) Published October 29, 2009 (Norwegian)
- ↑ Sommeridyll for kronprinsfamilien Published July 19, 2014 Norwegian broadcasting corporation (Norwegian)
- ↑ Med kronprinsparet på hytta www.kongehuset.no (Norwegian)
- ↑ Photo album from Dvergsøya The Royal House of Norway (English)