
Welcome to
GamlaVærket
In the heart of Sandnes city center, across the street from the train station and right on the cozy pedestrian street called Langgata, lies one of Norway’s most distinctive hotels and restaurants.
GamlaVærket Gjæstgiveri & Tracteringssted is more than just a hotel, it is a story.
We are proud of our rich history. It is the foundation of everything we do, shaping each guest experience on the same solid foundation we once laid in clay– a legacy built brick by brick.

It's a history we are proud of
Over 200 years ago
Over 200 years ago, a man walked along the banks of Gandsfjorden, his footcloths tightly wrapped beneath coarse boots to navigate the sticky terrain. He may have paused to inspect a piece of gray clay through a monocle—perhaps even tasted it, listening for that telltale crunch. It was the surest way to tell fine clay from common soil.
In the Beginning: Sandnes roof-tile and brick factory
On April 28, 1782, the Royal Residence of Christiansborg in Copenhagen granted Lauritz Smith Pedersen exclusive rights to produce bricks for all of Western Norway. This moment marked the beginning of Sandnes’ industrial history, unfolding on the slopes of Gandsfjorden. Pedersen established what would become Sandnes Tag- og Mursteens-Fabrique—later known as GamlaVærket—a pioneering force in Norway’s renowned brickworks industry and the very first of its kind in Sandnes.
Operation: powered by a horse-treadmill and manual labor
With county commissioner, two tax collectors, two priests, and the sheriff of Høyland, Pedersen set about producing bricks: a horse powered the clay mill while every other task was done by hand. Within the factory walls a kiln fired with peat from Stokkamyra and cast a flickering light over the workers sweating for their livelihood. There were seven men in the pan team, six in the brick team—who had to keep a pace of twelve seconds per brick for 70 hours a week to earn a good wage, until the first brick-making machine arrived in 1873.
Industry: Spittoons and clay clay-cuckoo whistles from the brick-making town of Sandnes
When Tjøl Larsen Søiland took the helm in 1807, the firm had already set the benchmark for Sandnes industry. More brickworks soon followed, along with busy potteries turning the town’s rich brown clay into barrels, chamber pots, spittoons, and storage jars. Sandnes bricks and ceramics earned a nationwide reputation, and the cheerful leirgjøk—the clay-cuckoo whistle that traveled by ship from Kirkenes to Baltic ports—became an enduring emblem, even gracing the city’s modern coat of arms. Today, you can trace those 200 years of craftsmanship firsthand at GamlaVærket Gjestgiveri & Tracteringssted, where the region’s industrial story lives on.


Miljøfyrtårn (Eco-Lighthouse)–certified company
Environment and sustainability
GamlaVærket’s history reaches back into the 18th century. Our legacy drives us to safeguard both the environment and our heritage. By weaving thoughtful sustainability into everything we do, we protect the heritage you come to experience—so future guests can enjoy the same authentic atmosphere for generations to come.
As a proud Miljøfyrtårn (Eco-Lighthouse)–certified company, we’re committed to measurable action—minimizing our environmental footprint while fostering a healthier, more inspiring workplace.
In 2022, we signed an industry agreement to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal of halving food waste by 2030.
Whenever we can, we source local and organic ingredients—and, together with our trusted suppliers, we work hard to ensure that every aspect of our hotel’s operation treads lightly on the planet.
Centrally located in Sandnes, GamlaVærket serves as a natural gathering spot, and we’re dedicated to supporting the community around us—proudly sponsoring local clubs and associations.
Our team includes many nationalities, and through our partnership with NAV we actively promote an inclusive workplace for everyone.