Bjarkøy

Bjarkøy is a municipality in the county of Troms, Norway.

The municipality is spread across several smaller islands, the biggest being the northern side of Grytøya (the southern part belongs to Harstad). The island of Bjarkøy is the biggest hamlet, also housing the municipal seat.

This is old viking territory, and was a chieftain seat during the viking age and the middle ages. Among the more famous chieftains you find Tore Hund , who killed Norway's Patron Saint, Saint Olav in the battle of Stiklestad in 1030. In 1323 the chieftain seat was raided and burned by carelian warriors.