Brandasund - an old trading place and guesthouse for sailors

Brandasund is an old trading place on the coast between Haugesund and Bergen at the entrance to Selbjørnsfjorden. The shopping centre is located on Gisøya furthest in the Fitjar Islands. However, after the road and connection with the rest of Bømlo in 1991, it was decided that the trading venue should belong to the municipality of Bømlo. Out in the sea west of Brandasund, there are many good fishing grounds like the Høkkelbåene in the north to Seiskallen and Vieflua in the south.

Old trading place and guesthouse for sailors.
For a thousand years, this good harbour lies centrally in the outer sea lane.

We know that Bergen was the largest city in the Nordic countries until 1600. Bergen was a significant maritime and commercial city. Ships from England, Holland and Germany had to pass this area on the way to Bergen. At that time, the vessels could not sail at night through these areas with many islets, islands. Then they had to stay in a guesthouse for sailors. Thus, the people in Brandasund received contacts with people from these countries outside Europe and learned from European culture.

The name Brandasund probably comes from Jacob Brandt who lived here in 1660.
The place was a famous harbour for Hansaship on its way to Bergen, and at the Maritime Museum in Bergen, there is a Dutch map from 1624 that shows Brandasund.
In the prosperous herring period of the 1700s and 1800s, Brandasund flourished as a viable centre.
Brandasund received early access to telegraph after it was put into use in Norway. Already in 1860, the place was given a public telegraph station.

Just before the turn of the century in 1897, a canned factory was built in Brandasund.
Fishery from here was known for its outstanding quality.
As one of the first places in this area, Brandasund received electric power. Already in 1917, the island got its own power plant. The dam gave enough water power to the turbine that operated the machines at the canned factory, and there was enough electricity to provide light in all houses.

Brandasund today.
Brandasund is a place that is popular for visitors and tourists. The dense urban settlement stands back today, reminiscent of another time.

This urban area is close by the guest bridge, and in the general store, there are freshly baked bread and coffee, as well as groceries, fishing gear, diesel, gasoline and boating equipment. In the old nest, Wool workshop and Stone Smith, products of wool from sheep and other crafts are sold.