The Grave of Edvard and Nina

Following the path to the right of the bridge towards the water and passing the villa to the north, we arrive at the grave of Edvard and Nina. There was originally a small grotto in the wall of rock. One evening, when Grieg was returning from hunting with his friend, Frants Beyer, he noticed that the rock here was picturesquely illuminated by the last rays of the sun as it set behind Bønes Hill. He decided that this was where his remains would be laid to rest. Following the obsequies on 9 September 1907, the urn with the composer’s ashes was placed in its rocky grave.

In 1935, Nina Grieg died. Her ashes were also buried in the rock. That was on the composer’s birthday, 15 June 1936. Among those leading Nina to her final resting place were the composers Harald Sæverud, from nearby Siljustøl, and Sverre Jordan. Since that time, the cave has not been opened. Hanging in the villa, in the Memorial Room, is a photograph of the two urns, taken at the moment the grave was closed.

On special occasions, such as the birthdays of Edvard and Nina and once a year on the opening of the Bergen Festival, flowers are placed beneath the plaque at the grave.