Telavåg

Telavåg holds a special place in Norwegian history books. This small coastal village, where residents for centuries made their living from fishing and farming, became the victim of unprecedented German reprisals in 1942, a chapter unmatched in Norwegian wartime history.

With just over 600 inhabitants, Telavåg is located on the island of Sotra on the west coast. It boasts plenty of beautiful, untouched nature, yet it's conveniently situated for those who crave occasional city life. A mere 45-minute drive will take you to Bergen, Norway's second-largest city.

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The Bekhilderen Cave by the sea is a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike. Its picturesque setting is perfect for Instagram-worthy photos, but caution is advised. The cave is only accessible at low tide, so it's important to keep an eye on the tide tables. Make sure to exit the cave before the tide rises again. The rocks can be slippery, and during high waves, it's not safe to enter the cave.

However, on days with ok weather, it's trouble-free to visit Bekhilderen. For instance, every summer, an outdoor concert is held in the cave overlooking the open sea.

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The remaining inhabitants of the village, including women and children, were interned for two years. Many contracted scarlet fever and diphtheria.

In surrounding villages, posters were put up warning that it was illegal to settle in Telavåg, and that Norwegians found there would be shot.

The occupation authorities' handling of the Telavåg case was meant to have a deterrent effect on Norwegians organizing illegal communication with the Allies. The goal was for the village never to rise again, but this became a symbolic issue for Norwegians, and many supported the villagers with money and labor. The work to rebuild Telavåg was celebrated in 1949 with a grand festival.

In 1998, the North Sea Traffic Museum in Telavåg was opened in memory of what had happened in the village during the Second World War

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Present day Telavåg is a vibrant community with a lot going on. This village has proven to be a true phoenix!

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Sources

Telavåg Online – Velkommen til bygda i vest (telavag.no)

Telavåg – Wikipedia

Nordsjøfartmuseet - Nordsjøfartmuseet (museumvest.no)

Bekhilderen - Grotte vest i havet i Telavåg - VestforBergen.no

Bekhilderen (ut.no)

HavgapFestivalen – Norges flotteste musikkfestival i havgapet vest i Telavåg