The Falstad Forest - a memorial from WWII

Falstad Forest - Execution Site and Memorial

Amidst the lush Falstad Forest, small stone pyramids emerge among the grass and bushes, serving as memorials to the horrifying events that took place there during World War II.

It is estimated that over 200 prisoners of war were executed in Falstad Forest, although there is uncertainty regarding the exact number and identities. After the war, from the summer of 1945 to 1953, Norwegian authorities conducted several exhumations. Those who were recovered were given a proper burial in regular cemeteries elsewhere in Norway or in memorial cemeteries.

Today, Falstad Forest is a place to remember the horrors of war, contemplate the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and take a moment of silence to appreciate how well-off we are in Norway today...

The "Arkebusering" Memorial
Just a 2-minute drive from the Falstad Center, you'll reach Falstad Forest with the "Arkebusering" (Execution) memorial by Odd Hilt. Odd Hilt was a former prisoner at Falstad who managed to escape to Sweden. The monument portrays three prisoners with distinct facial expressions and individual ways of resisting the anonymous, faceless war machinery hidden behind helmets and rifles.

Hiking Trail from the Falstad Center
You can also walk from the Falstad Center to Falstad Forest via a trail that spans approximately 2 km and runs alongside a small river. Along the way, you'll cross 22 bridges.