GamlaVærket

Norway · Hotel

A historic gem in Sandnes with an eerie side. In the heart of Sandnes, just a minute from the train station and along the charming pedestrian street Langgata, lies GamlaVærket Gjæstgiveri & Tracteringssted.

GamlaVærket — a historic inn in Sandnes with an unsettling side

In the heart of Sandnes, a minute from the railway station and along the pedestrian street Langgata, stands GamlaVærket Gjæstgiveri & Tracteringssted — a hotel and restaurant carrying a history as rich as it is fascinating. It is not only a place for rest and good food but a living part of Norway's industrial heritage. GamlaVærket also has another, more mysterious dimension: among the old walls, two figures from the past are said to walk still.

A hotel with roots in 1783

GamlaVærket, founded in 1783 by Lauritz Smith Pedersen, is one of the oldest surviving industrial buildings in Sandnes and Rogaland county. Originally a brick and tile factory, it was the first industrial works in the region. Bricks, pots and drainage pipes were made here, laying the foundation for Sandnes to develop into an industrial centre.

Today GamlaVærket is part of the Historic Hotels and Restaurants of Norway, and its carefully preserved walls offer visitors an unusual insight into Norwegian industrial history. With 38 individually furnished rooms and an atmosphere that recalls a vanished age, the historic charm is hard to resist. But it is not only the history that lives on here — two spirits are also said to make themselves known.

The restless souls

Stories of haunted hotels are always compelling, and GamlaVærket is no exception. Two men are said to walk here, and they have been observed by both guests and staff.

The tall man: a long, slender figure dressed in a white shirt and brown trousers. He is often seen looking at his watch, as though he were anxious or waiting for something that never comes.

The short man: an older gentleman, short and bow-legged, carrying a noticeable anger. His presence is said to be very tangible, and he has frightened both guests and staff with his intensity.

One of the best-known accounts from GamlaVærket concerns a newly married couple staying at the hotel. In the middle of the night they woke to find the light in the room switching on by itself and the whirlpool bath starting up on its own. Although no explanation was found, the couple left with an unforgettable story.

Cold draughts at reception

The hotel's reception is in the part of the building formerly used as a horse stable. Staff have experienced strange phenomena here. Several employees describe sudden cold gusts along the back while standing behind the desk, despite no obvious source of draught. The sense of being watched is also common among those working reception late in the evening.

More haunted places nearby

Accounts are drawn from local folklore and visitor reports.