The old Jailhouse

Info

A house with history - a unique kind of accommodation in charming Mandal Norway.
The old court- and jail house - the guard house is today a guesthouse.

Historie

Around 1780 the magistrate Fredrich Friedrichsons decided to build a small jail in Mandal. He contacted the building contractor Georg Johnston, born in Charlisle, England. He was the only building contractor in the Mandal region during that period. The master mason was brought from England.

When it was decided that the new jail and courthouse was going to be built the idea was to construct the bottom floor in mortar and the top floor in timber. Due to the lack of timber in the woods of the state the whole building was created in mortar. When the house was ready the summer 1784 it contained multiple session-halls in the top floor and prison cells in the bottom floor. The property has been preserved since 1924 and has today a new exciting use that you can become part of. If you are looking for a unique kind of accommodation in one on the most sunny and cosy villages, feel free to contact us!

The location is very good in the center of Mandal close to all the stores, facilities and beaches.

The old jail consists of four prison cells in the first floor. Three of them have one bunk bed and one has a double bed. The total capacity of the cells is eight persons. The cells are simply decorated with wardrobe, a small table and a chair. Two of the cells have a desk. The common room has a guest kitchen with four boiling plates, oven, coffee maker, dinner table, sofa and TV with that basic Norwegian channels. There is a Wi-Fi which is included. The shared bathroom has a shower and basin and separated WC-room. It is possible to borrow fishing gear, rent bikes and a 14 feet boat with 9 hk motor. The backyard is also available which is decorated with some furnitures. Back in the days the backyard was used by the prisoners. The backyard is shared with the house next door.

Beside the jail the guard house is located. The guard lived here together with his family. The house is charming old and recently got a modern renovation inside. Today there are multiple double rooms and single rooms in the house. There is also a small TV-room and a common guest kitchen with fridge, stove, dishwasher and micro oven. Further more there is a bathroom is equipped with shower, washing machine and dryer. The toilet is separated from the bathroom. The guard house also has availability to the backyard with barbecue possibilities.

The top floor of The Old Jail House contains the old session-halls with very high ceilings and a raised platform where the magistrates probably operated. The beautiful large folding doors are intact as well as the three rustic stoves. The building has had multiple functions during the years such as church, school and more recently as office and showroom for the painting club and art union.

Today the floor is furnished as an apartment with a fully equipped kitchen and a charming common room. The apartment has a capacity of six persons, one room with double bed and one room with two bunk beds.