Milleshaug Farm

A Farm Reborn

"The farm has been abandoned since 1987 – now its history is being brought back to life."

Read the history See the project Contact us

Welcome to Milleshaug

A former small hold farm and later independent farm in Fana district, south of Bergen municipality. The farm is beautifully situated on Dyngelandsåsen, about 100 meters above sea level, with views towards Myrdalsvatnet and the surrounding agricultural landscape.

Milleshaug has very ancient roots. Upper and Lower Dyngeland were originally one farm together with Milleshaug, and the entire area was likely cleared before the Viking Age, preferably during the Migration Period (ca. 400–570 AD). This makes Milleshaug one of the oldest known settlements in Fana.

Later, during the High Middle Ages (ca. 1050–1350), Milleshaug was probably separated as its own farm. The farm was sometimes called Øyjordet, a name indicating that it lay abandoned for periods. After standing empty since 1987, we are now working to restore the farm and make it accessible as a heritage site and living farm.

History

Ca. 400–570 AD

Migration Period – first settlement

The Milleshaug area was probably cleared and taken into use before the Viking Age, most likely during the Migration Period. This makes it one of the oldest known settlements in Fana.

Ca. 1050–1350

High Middle Ages – separate farm

During the High Middle Ages, Milleshaug was probably separated as its own farm from the Dyngeland complex.

Before 1600

Øyjordet – the period when the farm lay abandoned

The farm was probably abandoned in the late Middle Ages and used as outfield by residents at Dyngeland. The name "Øyjordet" refers to this period.

Ca. 1600

The farm cleared again

Milleshaug was taken back into use around the year 1600 and cleared as a farm under Dyngeland.

1603

First written sources

The farm is mentioned for the first time in written sources, then called "Aasen". Later variants include Meldehough (1608), Melleshoug (1611), and Mildeshaug (1614).

1764

Nils Larsen N. Totland

Nils Larsen N. Totland (1733–1801) buys the farm for 110 riksdaler from his brother-in-law Mons Larsen. This marks the start of the family's ownership that continues to this day.

1795

Nils Nilsen (I)

Nils Nilsen (1761–1844) receives the deed from his father and takes over the farm.

1832

Nils Nilsen (II)

Nils Nilsen (1804–1892) receives the deed from his father and continues the operation.

1856

Fire

The original farmhouse burns down.

1869

Jakob Nilsen Milleshaug

Jakob Nilsen Milleshaug (1839–1925) receives the deed from his father for 500 speciedaler.

1877

Land division

Milleshaug receives its own holding number and is allocated at part of the 205 acres at the land division.

Ca. 1900

New farmhouse

The farmhouse that stands today is built, replacing the one that burned in 1856.

1923

Nils Milleshaug

Nils Milleshaug (1893–1962) receives the deed from his father Jakob. He remained unmarried and ran the farm until his death.

1962–1987

Marta and Berta Milleshaug

The sisters Marta (1895–1990) and Berta (1897–1988) took over the farm after their brother. Both were unmarried and ran the farm until it was abandoned.

1987

Farm abandoned

The farm is abandoned, but the farmyard and farmhouse remain intact.

1990

Torhild Sandven and Ingeborg Sandven Hindal

Took over the farm when Marta died in 1990.

2025

The farm reborn

Kristian Sandven, representing the 7th generation of family ownership, begins restoration and revitalization. The goal is to preserve the cultural environment and make the farm accessible for heritage education.

List of owners – a farm in family ownership since 1764

The farm has been in unbroken family ownership since Nils Larsen N. Totland bought it in 1764. Here is the complete list of owners:

Nils Larsen N. Totland (1733–1801) – Bought the farm for 110 riksdaler in 1764
Nils Nilsen (I) (1761–1844) – Received deed from his father in 1795
Nils Nilsen (II) (1804–1892) – Received deed from his father in 1832
Jakob Nilsen Milleshaug (1839–1925) – Received deed from his father in 1869 for 500 speciedaler
Nils Milleshaug (1893–1962) – Received deed from his father in 1923. Unmarried
Marta and Berta Milleshaug (1895–1990 and 1897–1988) – Took over after their brother in 1962. Both unmarried
Torhild Sandven and Ingeborg Sandven Hindal – Took over the farm when Marta died in 1990
Kristian Sandven (current owner) – Represents the 7th generation of family ownership

Through over 260 years, the farm has been an important part of family history and the local community in Fana. The continuous family line from 1764 to today makes Milleshaug a rare example of long-term family ownership in Norwegian farm history.

The Project

After lying dormant since 1987, Milleshaug Farm will be brought back to life. The goal is to preserve the farm's cultural-historical value while making it accessible to new generations.

🏡 Heritage Value

The farm represents a unique cultural environment with visible traces of historical agriculture and settlement. The farmhouse, stone walls, and farmyard structure are intact and will be preserved for the future.

🔨 Restoration

We are working on restoring the farmhouse and farm buildings. The work follows conservation plans and is carried out in collaboration with heritage authorities and local craftspeople with expertise in traditional building methods.

🌾 Future Plans

Milleshaug will become a living heritage site where history meets the present. The plan is to operate the farm as an actively used cultural monument, accessible for visits, education, and local history communication.

🤝 Collaboration

The project is carried out in collaboration with relevant authorities, local history associations, and experts in cultural heritage conservation. We also welcome input and engagement from the local community.

Farm operation and land area

Milleshaug had approximately 20 acres of infield and 205 acres of shared outfield. In the 1877 land division, Milleshaug was allocated the southwestern part of the outfield between Engeset and Upper Dyngeland.

During operation, the farm kept horses, cows, sheep, and pigs. The farm also had access to outfield grazing and forest.