About Volda

Volda is situated in the middle of western coastline of Norway. It is surrounded by Sunnmørsalpane, a chain of alpine mountain peaks, and is renowned for its excellent and dramatic scenery. Volda muncipality has a population of about 8300, augmented by a student population of about 1500 during the academic year. Farming, fishing, forestry and aquaculture have traditionally been important occupations in Volda. In addition working for the state authorities manning and maintaining lighthouses and sea marks has been a vital source of income in many of the smaller hamlets in the muncipality. Today it is the large public sector institutions, the university college and the hospital, that are the biggest workplaces in the district. The Volda University College has approximately 3000 students, 150 academic staff, and about 60 technical and administrative staff. The college has long and proud traditions of higher education dating back to its foundation as a teachers’ training college established in 1895, now expanded to 4 faculties, 5 Master's Programmes, more than 30 undergraduate study programmes, and about 300 study courses offered. Volda has since the early seventies excelled in its journalist educations, and holds a strong position among journalist throughout the country. Volda, a centre of culture  The centre of Volda is a charming small town; the heart of wich is the picturesque old wooden buildings built close to proximity to the beautiful stone church. In the old days it was known as Halkjesvika and people have lived here since way back. The first written source that mentions the place is the saga by Snorre, in wich Halkjesvika is named in connection with the battle of Hjørungavåg in the year 988 A.D. There has been a church here since the Middle Ages.   For close to 150 years Volda has supplied the rest of Norway with highly qualified labour. The gifted country-born schoolmasters or schoolmistress, who for generations played such a key role culturally and intellectually in many parts of the country, was often educated in Volda. In the last 35 years the Media Faculty at the Volda University College has sent a steady supply of journalists to media companies all over Norway.     Restaurants, cafés All licensed to sell beer and wine:   Cafe de France, Holmen 1 Cafe Rokken, Industrigata 12 Det grøne Treet, Halkjesgate 8 Landscape Restaurant, Hamnegata 19 Volda Turist Hotell, Skjervavegen 17 Volda Spiseri Hamnegata 6   Others: Viva Restaurant & Pizzeria Halkjesgate 16 Kafé Teria, Hamnegata Tante Anna Konditori Halkjesgate 12     Exchange Opening hours: Monday – Friday 08.30 A.M. – 03.45 P.M. Sparebank 1 Volda Ørsta, Gymnasvegen 2 Sparebanken Møre, Spinneriet   Post office Opening hours: Monday-Friday 09.00 A.M. – 05.00 P.M. Saturday: 10.00 A.M – 02.00 P.M. Volda Postkontor Rådhusgata 6

Map source: Google maps View pictures from Volda and Ørsta