News
Preserving Lysøen for the future
In 2021, we closed Ole Bull's fairytale villa in order to begin essential restoration work. The goal is to preserve the villa and its unique collection for future generations.
Modern building methods meet cultural heritage
The restoration of Lysøen is a major collaborative project involving staff, decision-makers, volunteers and the local community. We combine modern construction techniques with respect for historical materials and traditions, while also safeguarding the legacy of Ole Bull.
Through curation, documentation and historical restoration, we bring Lysøen to life as a living cultural heritage site. When we reopen, visitors will enjoy a richer and more accessible experience of the site. We look forward to hearing music fill the concert hall once again!
Open during renovation
The villa is closed during restoration, but the island of Lysøen remains open to visitors! From May to September, Kode's museum boat will run from Buena Quay to Lysøen, and Friends of Lysøen will organise outdoor activities throughout the summer.
Kontaktpersoner
Media Contact
Maria Tripodianos, Head of Communication
Public Relations
Roald Eliassen, Head of Security
År for år: Rehabilitering av Lysøen
2026-
Work on the villa
The planned duration of Phase 2 of the construction will be announced.
2025
Autumn: Planning and contracting.
Planning work will continue throughout the spring and autumn, and includes complex analyses and measurements of the building's technical condition and structural stability. The aim is to ensure the best possible basis for decision-making and provide a clear recommendation for how Lysøen can be most effectively restored.
The next step is to start engaging skilled craftspeople to carry out the work.
2025
May: Selection of the project planning team
Kode has chosen the project planning team that will lead the restoration of the villa at Lysøen. Sweco and b+b arkitekter AS won the contract following an open tender competition. They will plan and oversee the project through to completion.
A project planning team from Sweco and b+b architects will lead the restoration.
2024
Funding for part two of the project
The Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery presented the proposed culture and equality budget in the Blumenthal Room in Rasmus Meyer. Kode has been allocated an additional NOK 90 million to restore Ole Bull's villa for future generations.
2023
The villa is now empty
A milestone for the project: the villa is empty! The final container of objects from the villa was packed and shipped off the island in April 2023.
Foto: Anette Basso / Kode
Foto: Anette Basso / Kode
Foto: Anette Basso / Kode
Foto: Anette Basso / Kode
2021
2021–2023: The villa is emptied and objects are treated
Since autumn 2021, extensive work has been carried out to catalogue, document and transport objects out of Ole Bull's villa. Each object has been assessed, photographed, cleaned and documented. before being packed for storage and either freeze-treated or quarantined to ensure all objects are pest-free.
All objects have been transported to Kode's storage facility, where they will remain safely stored until the villa can reopen.
2021
Lysøen is closed
Ole Bull’s villa was closed in March 2021 for regular public activities in order to be prepared for phase one of the rehabilitation.
2021
2020–2021: Funding for Lysøen
In 2020 and 2021, Kode received a total of NOK 39.5 million in additional funding from the state budgets for the restoration project at Lysøen.
In addition, Kode received a NOK 100,000 grant from Vestland County via Museumsløft, and NOK 1,550,000 in funding from Bjørnafjorden Municipality for the installation of an accessible toilet and for the operation of the museum boat MS Ole Bull.
2020
The Minister of Culture visits Lysøen
In summer 2020, Kode submits a condition report and an application for additional funding for restoration to the Ministry of Culture.
On 1 September, the Minister of Culture Abid Raja visits the villa at Lysøen to inspect the damage in person.
A facsimile from newspaper Bergens Tidende
2020
Report published
In summer 2020, it becomes publicly known that Ole Bull's summer villa at Lysøen is in need of extensive maintenance. The artists' home, completed in 1873, has acute challenges in relation to rot, leaks and pest damage. On behalf of Kode, Multiconsult has produced a detailed condition report stating that the building has a ‘significant need for maintenance, renovation and upgrading’.
