Editing Vik, Sogn (section)

==Attractions==
;UNESCO World Heritage Site
The "West Norwegian Fjords of [[Geirangerfjord]] and [[Nærøyfjord]]" were added to [[UNESCO]]'s [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage List]] in 2005. The two fjords are situated {{convert|120|km}} from each other and they are separated by the [[Jostedalsbreen]] glacier. The World Heritage Site possesses a unique combination of glacial landforms at the same time as each area is characterised by its own outstanding beauty. The [[Nærøyfjord]] areas in this site stretch through the municipalities of [[Aurland]], [[Lærdal]], Vik, and [[Voss]].

;Vikøyri
The name Vikøyri describes the area between the rivers Vikja and Hopra. The last syllable of the name is the [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]] word describing the flat area of land at the mouth of a river. The settlement lies on the Øyri, which was created by sediments deposited over thousands of years. Vikøyri was common land, owned by the local community, which might be the reason why the community grew so rapidly. During the 19th century an increasing number of people took up trade. 
[[File:EgliseBoisDeboutNorvege.jpg|thumb|right|Hopperstad Stave Church in Vik in Sogn]]
[[File:Statue av Fridtjov den frøkne oppført av Vilhelm II.jpg|thumb|''Statue of Fridtjof''<br />Max Unger (1913)]]

;Hopperstad Stave Church
The [[Hopperstad Stave Church]] was built around 1130. It is a triple-nave [[stave church]] and has a Gothic altar-baldaquin with sculptured heads, as well as decorations and paintings in the ceiling depicting the childhood of [[Christ]]. This stave church was saved from demolition on the initiative of the architect [[Peter Andreas Blix]].

The [[Stave church]]es are constructions of high quality, richly decorated with carvings. In virtually all of them the door frames are decorated from top to bottom with carvings. This tradition of rich ornamentation appears to go back to the animal carvings of the [[Viking Age]]. The dragons are lovingly executed and transformed into long-limbed creatures of fantasy, here and there entwined with tendrils of vine, with winding stems and serrated leaves. The elaborate designs are executed with supreme artistic skill. The stave church doorways are, therefore, among the most distinctive works of art to be found in Norway. However, it is difficult to connect them with the [[Gospel|Christian gospel]].

;Statue of Fridtjof
The [[Friðþjófs saga hins frœkna|Statue of Fridtjof]] from ''[[Frithjof's Saga]]'' is a landmark which towers {{convert|22.5|m}} over the hilltop. The statue was a gift from [[Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Kaiser Wilhelm II]], to the [[Norwegians|Norwegian people]] and was erected in July 1913. It stands in a beautiful park overlooking the [[Sognefjorden]] at [[Vangsnes]].

;Borgstova
Borgstova is a house built in 1790. It is the only remnant of the Sjøtun Estate, which covered almost the entire village of Vikøyri. At Borgstova, there are copies of relics from the oldest burial sites in Vik.

;Kristianhus Boat and Engine Collection
The museum is located by the fjord at the centre of Vikøyri in the same building as the tourist office. Here you can experience what historic boatlife was like for the inhabitants along the [[Sognefjord]].

;Vik Ski Festival
The Ski Festival is arranged at Vikafjellet (Vik Mountain) at the end of May. There are competitions in [[ski jumping]], [[slalom skiing]], [[cross-country skiing (sport)|cross-country skiing]], and [[Telemark skiing]]. Public parties and cultural arrangements are organized in connection with the ski festival.

;Birdlife
Situated on the Sognfjord the municipality of Vik is known for its mild climate and great scenery. Take a hike on Vikafjellet and you could see such species as [[Eurasian golden plover]] or in good rodent years, maybe a [[rough-legged buzzard]]. The woodlands hold the usual passerines depending if it is coniferous or deciduous. Along the fjords [[red-breasted merganser]] can be seen all year round while the call of the [[Eurasian oystercatcher]] can only be heard from spring through early autumn.