The Aurland Shoe factory

Located in the charming fjord village of Aurland, the Aurland Shoe Factory is the birthplace of the world-famous Aurlandskoen, also known as the Aurland shoe. Here, traditional Norwegian craftsmanship meets timeless design in a story that stretches back more than a century.

The history of shoemaking in Aurland began in the late 1800s, when local craftsmen produced and repaired leather footwear for residents and visiting travelers. Among the early pioneers was Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger (1874–1953), who studied shoemaking in Boston, USA, before returning to Norway to open his own workshop in Aurland. Inspired by both the Norwegian tese-sko and Native American moccasins, he developed a new design that combined local tradition with global influence. By the 1930s, his creation had evolved into the Aurlandskoen — the stylish slip-on leather shoe that many consider to be the original penny loafer.

During the mid-1900s, the village of Aurland became a thriving center of shoemaking. At its peak, nearly twenty small factories operated here, producing thousands of shoes each year. The Aurland Shoe was exported internationally and became a symbol of Norwegian quality and craftsmanship.

When mass production and cheap imports arrived in the 1960s, most of the local factories closed. Yet the Aurland Shoe Factory — or Aurland Skofabrikk, as it’s known in Norwegian — survived. It remains the only factory in Aurland still making the original design by hand, preserving a proud heritage that has lasted for generations.

In 2009, the Aurland Shoe Factory was designated as an Économusée®, a working museum that combines craft production with cultural storytelling. Visitors can tour the factory, watch artisans at work, and learn how each pair of Aurland shoes is made using time-honored techniques. The factory shop also sells locally made leather goods, bags, and accessories.

Located at Odden 13B in Aurland, the factory is open year-round and welcomes visitors who want to experience authentic Norwegian craftsmanship. Whether you’re a design enthusiast, a lover of handmade products, or simply exploring things to do in Aurland, the Aurland Shoe Factory offers a unique glimpse into Norway’s design history — where tradition, skill, and fjordside heritage come together.