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Sandtorgholmen Hotell

Sandtorgholmen island is one of the oldest and has been one of the richest trading posts north of Trondheim, dating all the way back to the 14th century. Our guest list, enclosed, has entries from 1557 and up to the present day.

Sandtorgholmen was the very first site to be granted a licence for the sale of wine and liquor to guests in this region, in the year 1770. We are also blessed to still have the original wine cellar from this period, which has now been restored as a wine bar, seating 30. We have named this our Malaga cellar, and serve only Spanish products. In this way, we keep alive the local history from the time when wine was imported by the barrel from the Malaga region in Spain to Norway. The sailing ships would stop first in Bergen then continue north, stopping at Sandtorgholmen. Wine was unloaded here and transported to seven different parishes. The island was also home to a baker, where the Communion wafer was baked for the same parishes.

Sandtorgholmen island is located in Tjeld sound, where there is a strong current and difficult waters. At its strongest, the current can travel over 7 knots, so sailing ships would often stop at Sandtorgholmen, waiting for the current to turn. Over the centuries, this has been the site of significant trading with the Pomor people of Russia and with the jekter or traditional sailing ships of the region. The island was also the largest agricultural area along the sound.

In 1838, Sandtorgholmen received a licence to welcome steamers, and “Prince Gustav” was the first local steamer to call at port.
The wharf was also home to a general store and rural post office. At the end of the 19th century, a telegraph station was set up here. At its most populated, the island had 28 inhabitants and 27 buildings.

The island received a royal visit in 1873, by King Oscar II. 4000 “countryfolk” turned up to greet him. This visit illustrates the importance of Sandtorgholmen, as the royal entourage moved on from there to Hamnes further north, without mention of Harstad or Tromsø.

Sandtorgholmen Hotell

9430 SANDTORG
Tel +47 77 02 80 00
Faks +47 77 02 80 01
E-post sandtorg@sandtorgholmen.no
www.sandtorgholmen.no