Official opening of Hamningberg rest area in Varanger

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The architecture of the toilet buildings is inspired by traditional log houses. Photo: Finnmark Entreprenør AS

Hamningberg is an abandoned fishing village in Båtsfjord municipality, on the coast of the Varanger peninsula at the end of Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger. The place is quite unique among Finnmark villages, with its intact buildings from the 19th century.

Wooden houses in various colors surrounded by mountains and sea. — Hamningberg at the far end of the Varanger Peninsula. Photo: Jarle Wæhler, Statens vegvesen

"The End of Europe"

Hamningberg's unofficial status as "the end of Europe" has made the place a favourite destination for travellers from Norway and Europe. Every year, many people find their way here in order to experience the midnight sun, nature and silence. To handle the increased traffic and offer a neat stop at the end of the route, the facilities have been supplemented with toilets and an upgraded parking area.

Two toilet buildings. — The toilet buildings are made of wood, aluminum and glass. Photo: Finnmark Entreprenør AS

Innovation and traditional architecture

Through a combination of innovative thinking and traditional architecture, the architectural firm KAP/Asplan Viak AS has found a solution with clever structures. The toilet buildings are inspired by the Pomor style log house technique, which was used to build many of the preserved houses in Hamningberg.

“Our main goal with this project has been to increase the attractiveness of the existing motorhome parking in Hamningberg so as to relieve the fishing village and the beach areas”, says Tonje Broch Moe, architect previously at KAP, now at Asplan Viak AS.
The parking area has been upgraded with six sheltered "pockets" or hollows along the edges.

Rest area. — The parking area has been upgraded with six sheltered "pockets" or hollows along the edges. Photo: Finnmark Entreprenør AS

“Four of these contain seating areas with benches, one has a waste station, while the largest contains two toilet buildings. The architecture of the toilet buildings is inspired by traditional log houses combined with roof shapes that let the midnight sun into the buildings and reflect the surroundings”, says Broch Moe.

Norwegian Scenic Routes

For more than 30 years, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) has been developing and enhancing eighteen selected drives through the most beautiful and diverse of Norwegian landscapes. Innovative architecture along the roads in the form of rest areas, viewing platforms and service buildings in combination with thought-provoking art inspires and enthrals travellers from home and abroad. Facilitating tourist travel by car on scenic routes from Jæren in the south to Varanger in the north.

Person taking a picture along the road in a rugged rocky landscape. — The Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger between Vardø and Hamningberg runs through a rugged rocky landscape. Photo: Frid-Jorunn Stabell, Statens vegvesen

Contracting client: NPRA Norwegian Scenic Routes
Architect: KAP/Asplan Viak AS
Contractor: Finnmark Entreprenør AS.