Lysøen

Ole Bull purchased the island in 1870 and built his legendary “Villa Lysø” here. Ole Bull took architectural inspiration from all the corners of the world. You will find the local tradition of wood carving depicting roses, Stars of David and Moorish arches in the interior, and the Russian bulbous dome as the most exotic feature on the exterior.

The Lysøen museum is open during the summer and, naturally, concerts are held in the villa’s music room. During the museum’s opening hours, there is a boat service from the Buena quay to the island and back. The Lysøen museum is the only museum in Os. It was established in 1974, when Ole Bull’s descendants donated the property to the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments.

The museum comprises the house and all its furnishings from the time when Ole Bull used it as his summer residence. The house is a breathtaking piece of architecture and unlike anything you have ever seen, and the museum recounts the story of a fascinating person – the musician, composer, eccentric, national romantic Ole Bull, perhaps the greatest cultural ambassador for Norway throughout time. Lysøya offers 13 km of marked pathways, varied countryside, small forest lakes, a lookout tower, and bathing places both north in Lysevågen and by the quay near the museum area.

For group bookings or special events (during or outside of opening hours), tel. + 47 56 30 90 77 or email: booking@lysoen.no If you do not have your own boat, you have to take the boat from Buena quay just down the road from the Lysekloster monastery ruins.

The boat service, “Ole Bull” departs from Buena quay every hour during the museum’s opening hours. Weekdays and Saturdays from Buena quay: 12.00 13.00 14.00 15.00 Extra crossings on Sundays at 11.00 and 16.00 Return crossings from Lysøen: 13.30 14.30 15.30 16.30 Extra return crossings on Sundays at 12.30 and 17.30 Return ticket: Adult NOK 60 Children NOK 30 Crossing free of charge with the Bergen Card.