Veierland is a populated, carfree island in Færder municipality, Norway. A ferry service operated byJutøya ASconnectsthe island with the nearby, larger island of Nøtterøy. The island also has a permanent ferry link to Engø peninsula in nearby Sandefjord. Veierland lies in the Tønsberg Fjord, south of Nøtterøy Island, and west of Tjøme Island. The island measures 4.4 square kilometres and has approximately 150 full-time residents. It lies just east of Sandefjord, connected by a 10-15 minute ferry ride onboard MF Jutøya. As of 2015, Veierland is home to 450 vacation homes and 150 full-time residents. It is a car-free island, but residents may have permits for driving mopeds and tractors. Its church was established in 1905, while Veierland School closed in 2013. Author Jens Bjørneboe purchased a home on Veierland from singer-songwriter Ole Paus, and lived on the island until his death on May 9, 1976. Ole Paus has written a song entitled “Veierland” about the island, while author Karin Bang has written three novels in which the island goes by the name Jutøy. Artist Edvard Munch spent the summer of 1887 on the island, and painted numerous works while visiting on Veierland.
The name
The Norse form of the name was Vájir, the plural of vá 'inlet'. The last element land 'land; island' is a later addition.
Description
Veierland Island has been inhabited for as long as Vestfold County. The island has a permanent year-round population of about 150 people as of 2010, however, the island experiences significant summer tourism. Over 450 vacationhomes can be found on the island. Veierland is connected to the mainland by daily ferries from Tenvik at Nøtterøy and from Engø peninsula in Sandefjord. Between 9-17 daily ferries connect the island to the mainland. Convenience stores, a golf course and restaurants are operated on the island during summers, although most services are closed outside the tourist season. The island is primarily car-free, but residents may acquire permits for vehicles such as tractors, golf carts, and ATVs. Besides its boat harbors, beaches and cabin communities, the island remains densely forested with much agricultural activity.
