Neset Gard: A Truly National Romantic Gem By Idyllic Totak Lake, Rich In History And Culture.

Welcome to this national romantic treasure: Neset Gard

This is a fantastic property with a unique courtyard featuring well-preserved, beautiful buildings from the 1600s to 1800s. The courtyard boasts an outstanding and sunny location next to the idyllic Totak Lake. It is just a short drive from Rauland center towards Vå and Arabygdi. The current owner has largely maintained the buildings in their original style, with various improvements and investments. Today, this magnificent place is used for numerous cultural events, centering on the traditions of Telemark, highlighting local music, food, and storytelling. Annually, Neset hosts 1-2 intimate concerts, a larger outdoor concert in June, and the Neset Days in August, the major cultural event in Raulandsgrend.

Neset Gard is located by Totak in Raulandsgrend, close to Rauland center, which offers activities year-round. The unique courtyard borders Totak Lake, offering ample fishing and swimming opportunities. The courtyard exudes history with its well-preserved buildings and interiors but also offers modern conveniences, including a fully furnished main house of high standard.

The property ranges from approximately 680 meters above sea level at the courtyard by Totak Lake up to 1100 meters towards the foot of Hardangervidda. A trail on the property leads to the small stone cabin ”Tehytta,” ideal for simple overnight stays and a popular destination for those seeking spectacular views over ”half of Telemark.”

Key Features:
- 16 beautiful cultural and historical buildings
- Indoor swimming pool
- Tennis court
- Shoreline to the idyllic Totak Lake
- Close to Rauland center with various services
- Own stone cabin in the high mountains with excellent hiking areas year-round
- The courtyard has been significantly renovated and upgraded in recent years
- Unique cultural and historical significance for the area and Telemark
- Property of approximately 569 decares

Land, Forest, and Courtyard:
The property covers 569.1 decares, divided into two parcels:

The parcel below Totak Road is 79.8 decares, with 4.4 decares of surface-cultivated land, 9.6 decares of infield pasture, 8.8 decares of productive forest, 49 decares of other land, and 8 decares of built-up areas, water, roads, and other uses.
The parcel above Totak Road is 489.3 decares, with 19.2 decares of productive forest, 0.1 decares of built-up area, and 470 decares of other land.

Hunting:
The property has small game hunting rights. It also has net/fishing rights in Totak Lake, which is known for good fishing.

The History of Neset:
In 1953, a shipowner came to Rauland with his American wife. After establishing a successful shipping business in the USA post-World War II, Harry Irgens Larsen and his wife Patricia settled in Norway in the 1950s. The wealthy and art-interested shipowner bought Neset Gard, which was then a dilapidated and run-down tenant farm. ”This is the worst day of my life. Harry just bought a bunch of old planks,” Patricia allegedly wrote in a diary.

She grew to love the place and Rauland, where the family spent several weeks each summer, arriving by limousine while Harry came by seaplane. Shipowner Larsen bought several old houses in Rauland and assembled them in the courtyard. Among these are Torvetjønnstoga, with old Renaissance interiors protected as early as 1923, and Loftgardstoga from Vaa, a timber house from the medieval period.

In 1990, Neset was bought by Grace Reksten and Morits Skaugen. In 1995, it was sold to Øystein Erling Tvenge, who was married to Liv Bente Tvenge. In 2009, Neset was purchased by Liv Bente and their children through their companies. Liv Bente has upgraded and continued the restoration to this day. The place is now mainly used for concerts and cultural events, including the beloved Neset Days, first held in August 2012.

There is much history in the rose-painted walls of Neset, and the farm is likely the only remaining example so well preserved and privately owned.

Now is the time to find new owners to write the next chapter in the storybooks of Neset and become part of a very interesting history on perhaps one of Norway’s most beautiful properties.