Success from the Start

– We have plenty to do, that’s for sure. Much more than we have time and capacity for, says general manager Sebastian Torjusen.

Salmon Eye is located in the Hardangerfjord, just outside Rosendal and Snilstveitøy in the municipality of Kvinnherad. The visitor centre, owned by Eide Fjordbruk, opened its doors for the first time in September 2022. Since then, there has been a large influx of guests.

– Having a busy schedule is obviously positive. It means that people are interested in what we do, says Torjusen.

The visitor centre is shaped like a salmon eye, and according to Torjusen, it is the world’s largest floating art installation that can be entered. The facility stands a total of 14.55 meters high, distributed across four levels above and below water, and is covered with nearly 9,500 “fish scales” made from corrosion-resistant super duplex steel.

Michelin Star

Salmon Eye consists of a visitor area and a restaurant, aptly named Iris. The focus of the exhibition is on transformation and sustainable use of ocean resources, with this core theme also carried into the restaurant.

Iris opened in June 2023, and with Danish star chef Anika Madsen at the helm, the restaurant quickly became a hit in the culinary world. Last May, it earned its first Michelin star.

The entire Salmon Eye, both the visitor centre and the restaurant, has been well-visited since its inception. In 2023, they hosted around 1,600 guests at the exhibition centre, with a similar number at Iris. The capacity is 24 people in the exhibition and the same number in the restaurant. In total, the facility can accommodate 100 people.

Visible Project

2024 was the first full year of operation for the restaurant.

– We have become a very visible project, attracting much attention both nationally and internationally. Among other accolades, we were named one of the world’s 100 coolest destinations for 2024 by Time Magazine, says Torjusen, adding that they receive a lot of positive feedback.

– We see an increasing diversity among visitors, with more international guests. For us, however, it is also important to be a place that the local population is proud of and uses. That’s why we frequently host visits from kindergartens, school classes, and the senior university.

This text has been translated from Norwegian to English using AI. It has then been reviewed by our content producers.

Published 27 January 2025