Pop. 1,454; Area 1,274 sq. km. (490 sq. mi.)

Fyresdal is the westernmost township and the westernmost valley in Telemark. For many years it was also the most isolated. Nature in this area is characterized by large and beautiful Fyresvatn, or "Pine Lake," the lake is 26 km. long, dotted with larger and smaller islands and surrounded by hills and mountains. The village of Moland is the municipal center for Fyresdal.

SIGHTS TO SEE:
The Fyresdal District Museum is located in Moland on a site marked with prehistoric grave mounds. In the new museum building there are displays of household items, utensils, farm equipment, folk art, etc. Old buildings representing traditional styles from various parts of the township have been set up on the museum grounds. These include cottages, storehouses, a bathhouse, a summer kitchen and a flour mill.

Veum Church was built in 1863. Among the oldest items in the church are an ancient collection of sermons, 2 brass candelabras and an old chalice.

Moland Church was built in 1843 on the site where a stave church, torn down in 1662, had previously stood. The church contains several valuable items from earlier churches, among these 2 brass candlesticks from 1661 and a Bible from 1633. The altarpiece from 1738 comes from the old church at Heggland.

The Skei Stone (Kjeisteinene) is a large stone with runic inscriptions from 1100 located at Moland just north of Fyresdal center. According to legend, people from miles around met here to fight and race. Originally there were four such stones here, placed at each corner of a square and forming a sort of "ring" for combatants.

HOTELS:
Fyresdal Turistheim.

LOCAL AUTHORITY OFFICE: 3870 Fyresdal; Tel. (036) 41 201/41 203

Taraldlien, Bendik. Fyresdal, med Bilæte. Oslo: Cammermeyer, 1949.