From the 1500s Hop was noble estate for the law speaker in Bergen and Gulen judicial districts. Several of the law speakers were of noble descent, such as Hans Hansen Lillienskiold and Niels Knagenhielm. The beautiful main building, still standing, was erected by the Bergen merchant Thomas Erichsen in 1793-95. He also established a magnificent garden with an 800 metres long linden avenue reaching down to the stone boathouse at Hop harbour.
The main house is a magnificent building in the style of Louis XVI, with two beautiful portals and decorated rows of columns on three sides that support the mansard roof. The building is a brilliant example of the standard of Bergen craftwork at the time. We must go to Bogstad estate in Oslo, “Gimle” in Kristiansand or “Nøisomheden” at Molde to find parallel examples of style. Later on, the mansard roof has been altered to a half-hipped roof in order to make room for the loft windows. The building, which today serves as a home for senior citizens, is under protection.
