The name of the village is "Valestrand", but the mailing address is "Valestrandsfossen". Only a generation ago, the name "Fossen" was commonly used. The name "Reppen" was another name which was commonly used in the period from around year 1900 to the 1950's. Prior to the second world war, is was common for people
to say, when they
were visiting the
center of the
village, that they
were going to
"Reppen". Here all
the stores were
located including
the milk processing
plant. From
"Reppen" people could also take the steam ship to Bergen - the largest city on the west coast of Norway. Up to the 1950's "Valestrand" still had its waterfall, but it disappeared after the water level in "Valestrandsvatnet" was lowered by 1.5 m. It is difficult to determine where the name "Valestrand" originates. This is also the case for most local names in Norway. But one of the interpretations is that it comes from "a circular shaped beach", which points to the shape of the local harbor. Another interpretation is that the name originates from a "valplass" - an out door location were conflicts among the local population were resolved. Historians seem to be certain that people have lived permanently at "Valestrand" since early Iron Age. This certainty is based in old rock inscriptions created during early Bronze Age. These inscriptions show ships having different shapes than the majority of typical inscriptions from the same period, and that makes it difficult to determine their exact age. "Valestrand" is today the part of the Osteroey that is most developed. The main reason for that is its close proximity to "Aasane" and "Bergen" (only 25 minutes by car). A regular car ferry service connects "Valestrand" to the main land. The largest employer at "Valestrand" today is "Fossen AS", an exporter of salmon. This company received the title "The Best Exporter Of Salmon" for 1997. They also process trout for export to other countries. "Bullahuset" can be seen in the middle of the picture.
Click here for more pictures of Valestrand.
