A Journey Through History

Our guesthouse is located in Granavollen, Hadeland, which has a long and rich history. Situated along the historic King’s Road that has linked Oslo and Bergen since the Middle Ages, Granavolden has been welcoming guests since 1657. From its origins as a roadside inn to the charming modern hotel it is today, this is our story.

Viking Age
Granavollen’s roots can generally be traced back to the Viking Age c. 9^th to 11^th centuries. Archaeological excavations of grave mounds and burial sites found in the region could even date the town back to the Iron Age, while some historians believe that the Germanic Hadar tribe settled in the Vigga Valley as early as 180-300 CE. In the 13^th century, Snorre Sturlasson, an Icelandic historian, referred to the Hadeland region in Heimskringla, his collection of sagas about the Kings of Norway, as an area of significant agricultural activity and strategic importance.

Pre-Christian Era: The Origins
The Hadeland region has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Archaeological findings show a high concentration of graves and burial mounds from the Roman Iron Age, and some theories suggest that the Germanic Hadar tribe settled in the Vigga valley around 180-300 AD. According to Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic historian, «Hadarfylki» was a significant kingdom before the 800s, with Granavollen as a central assembly site. Granavollen’s strategic importance was enhanced by its location at the intersection of two major land routes from the Oslo Fjord.

Middle Ages: The Era of the Sister Churches
Granavollen gained prominence in the medieval period as a religious and administrative center, marked by the construction of the Sister Churches, first Mariekirken c.1150, followed by Nikolaikirken c.1170. 

17th Century: The Birth of the Inn
In 1657, Gregers Jensen built a simple inn for weary travelers, known as Gregersstua or Greger’s House. They served beer and food on the first floor, while the second floor was used as a dormitory and bedrooms. From these humble roots, Gregersstua has grown over the centuries into the Granavolden Guesthouse you see today with seven buildings, and represents a long tradition of hospitality at Granavollen.

18th Century: A Reward for Bravery
Gregers Granavollen, the grandson of Gregers Jensen, took over the running of the inn, and from 1716 to 1738, was the Sheriff of Gran. During the war with Sweden in 1716, Granavollen gathered a force of 60 men to repel 600 Swedish dragoons. This effort proved crucial for the Norwegian victory at Norderhov. As a reward for his distinguished service, he was granted a noble patent from the King, who bestowed the inn at Granavollen to him and his descendants. In 1916, a monument honoring Gregers Granavollen was erected in front of the Sister Churches and remains a popular historical landmark.

19th Century: Expansion and Modernization
During the 19^th century, the guesthouse underwent significant expansion. In 1840, Syver Gaarder bought the original establishment and in c.1850, he opened a general store in the main building, which quickly became a great success. This led to further expansion, in particular the main building to the south. Today, you’ll recognize these rooms as our cozy salons.

Early 20th Century: The Golden Age of Tourism
The beginning of the 20th century marked a golden age for Norwegian tourism with the development of the fjords, construction of scenic railways, and the promotion of Norway’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Granavollen and Granavolden Guesthouse were huge beneficiaries, especially after the completion of Oslo to Gjøvik railroad in 1902. Its location at the heart of a rural idyll with access to outdoor pursuits made it a popular destination for city folk. Granavolden promoted itself as «the guesthouse with a healthy inland climate» offering a range of attractions.

Modern Times: From Politics to Culture
In recent times, Granavolden Hotel & Guesthouse continues to be a big draw. We have hosted important political events, including government negotiations in 2019. We focus on preserving our hotel’s rich history while offering modern comfort for guests and collaborate with members of the local community to retain the area’s cultural heritage for new generations to enjoy.

The hotel today
Today, the hotel and guesthouse offer a unique blend of rustic charm, Norwegian history, and modern facilities. You’ll find seven impressive historical buildings, each with its own story to tell, and first-rate facilities to cater for everything from romantic weddings to business conferences. We aim to give our guests an unforgettable experience at Norway’s third oldest hotel, that provides the perfect balance of historical preservation and modern comfort.

Looking to the Future
We will continue focusing on sustainable tourism. We are working to develop new cultural experiences for our guests while preserving and sharing the site’s rich history for future generations.

Welcome to a piece of living Norwegian history.