Sandefjord located in Vestfold, Norway, is an International small town with an exciting historical past. Sandefjord is also a well known and frequently visited vacation spot for Norwegians. The Whaling Monument is Sandefjord's one of most famous attraction. It's a sculpture from 1960 showing whalers in action.
The name originally belonged to the fjord (now the Sandefjordsfjord). The first element is the genitive case of the name of the parish (and former municipality) Sandar.
Sandefjord is a historical town which has become a modern town of culture with a dynamic business life. The history of Sandefjord has been formed by the Viking Age, the shipping industry and whaling in Arctic and Antarctic areas. Sandefjord has a history of pioneer spirit and creativity, daring and bravery.
The Vikings had their very first settlements in Vestfold. The Gokstad Viking Ship which dates from the year 900 was discovered in Sandefjord. Today one can find a replica of this famous ship down at the harbour.
Like the Vikings, the urge to go abroad and explore foreign countries lead the first whalers to the Antarctic Ocean. The history of the whalers can be explored at the Whaling Museum and at the Museum's Wharf with a visit aboard the whale-catcher "Southern Actor.“
