spisestue Aulestad Foto Ian Brodie
Photo: Ian Brodie / Visit Lillehammer

Visit the home

Karoline and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson arrived at Aulestad with their four children on a warm and sunny day in June 1875. 

The family continued to travel abroad for long periods, but Aulestad became the base they always returned to. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson lived here until his death in 1910 and Karoline Bjørnson until 1934.

The dark main building became light and airy under Karoline’s firm direction. Greatly inspired by their travels, she created a welcoming urban home in the country filled with art and gifts from near and far.

The state purchased Aulestad in the 1920s and the house has been open for visitors every summer since 1935.