# Alby

- **Country:** Norway
- **Location Text:** Moss Municipality

Alby gård, located on the island of Jeløya in Moss, Norway, holds the distinction of being the oldest farm in the area with roots tracing back to the early Viking Age. While the site has ancient origins, the main building acquired its current architectural form following a significant fire in 1866. This historic property represents a key piece of local heritage, situated within the Søre Jeløy landscape conservation area established in 1983 to preserve the region's unique natural characteristics and historic landscape features.

The ownership history of the farm reflects its transition from private hands to public stewardship. In 1963, the municipality of Moss purchased the estate from its last private owner, the shipowner Biørn Biørnstad. Today, the property serves multiple cultural and administrative functions. The main building is rented by Galleri F 15, a well-known art gallery, while the traditional storehouse, known as the stabburet, is utilized by the county governor for entities such as Jeløy Naturhus. The surrounding agricultural land is currently leased out, maintaining the site's connection to its farming past while supporting modern cultural activities.

Beyond its buildings, Alby gård offers extensive recreational facilities set within a distinctive natural environment. The grounds feature a park designed with lawns, fruit trees, and acacia trees, engineered to provide visitors with a secluded beach-like experience near the sea. The adjacent forest is a popular hiking destination with accessible paths suitable for disabled visitors. On clear days, hikers in the Rødsåsen section of the forest can enjoy distant views of the famous Holmenkollen ski jumping hill, blending local history with expansive scenic vistas.

![Photo of Alby](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Galler_i_F15%2C_Alby_g%C3%A5rd%2C_Jel%C3%B8y.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alby_gård (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)