Øverbø - Sondre’s Birthplace

Here is the place where Sondre was born – a small former cotter’s farm upon the wooded hillside. From Øverbø, located at about 580 metres above sea level, there is a breathtaking view of the valley of Morgedal.

Eivind Strondi in the Sondre cottage. Eivind is a ski veteran and active Morgedal Sports Club member who lives on the farm closest to Øverbø. He has guided visitors to Øverbø since 1951. Eivind is Sondre’s grandnephew.
Photo by Eivind Molde

Late in the 19^th century there were close to 100 such small cotter’s farms in this community. About 500 people lived in Morgedal at that time, 200 more than today.

Over the years, there have been a few changes at Øverbø. The Morgedal Sports Club along with the Association for the Promotion of Skiing, located in Oslo, assumed responsibility for it in 1949. Since then, many dedicated community volunteers have enabled it to become a popular tourist destination.

The former cotter's farm Øverbø
Photo by Eivind Molde

The house to the left: This is the house Sondre built when he married Rannei in 1854 and the couple settled at a cotter’s farm called Kasin. The sports club moved the house to Øverbø to become a part of the museum. This building is open to the public and inside you can see various equipment made by Sondre himself, including, of course, skis and bindings, along with cupboards and cabinets. Notice the fireplace where the Olympic Torch has been lit three times.

Prior to 1949 there was a barn and a small storehouse where the Sondre cottage is placed now. So the small farm had a total of four houses at that time.

The house to the right: Sondre was born in a house similar to the one you see in the picture. The original house was in such bad shape that the sports club built an exact replica and placed it on the original foundation.

The Morgedal Sports Club now owns Øverbø and is responsible for maintenance. A 400-meter stroll up the hillside after parking your car enables you to view the historic birthplace of Sondre Norheim. Most visitors combine a visit at Øverbø with visiting the Norwegian Ski Adventure Centre (Norsk Skieventyr).

Sondre Norheim - the Skiing Pioneer of Telemark

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