Granavolden Hotel & Gjæstgiveri

In 1716 the place became known outside its own borders when the District Sheriff and innkeeper, Gregers Granavolden (1677-1746), mobilised 50 men from Hadeland to fight a large troop of Swedish soldiers on horseback. The Battles of Harestuskogen were of great significance in the Great Northern War. As thanks for his heroic efforts, Gregors was granted a lifelong innkeeper’s licence for himself and his posterity, by King Frederick IV himself.

In April 1814 the guest house opened its doors to five delegates from Hordaland bound for the National Assembly at Eidsvoll. In the spring thaw they had taken the ice road over Randsfjorden. According to the story, they dried off and warmed up in the guest house. Later, Syver Gaarder started up a country store in the main building. It was a great success, which meant the buildings were improved and extended. He put his stamp on the main building to the south around 1850. 

Since summer holidays were for the common people in the 20th century, Hadeland became a holiday destination par excellence and the guest house became popular with its healthy inland climate at an altitude of 340 metres. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s a number of writers and cultural celebrities discovered Granavolden as a unique place to find inspiration and peace. Thor Heyerdahl was a permanent resident for several months. From his window in Gregers’ room, he found the peace to write about life on Easter Island in the Pacific, resulting in the publication of Aku-Aku in 1957.