Unravelling rich cultural heritage of Avaldsnes, Norway’s oldest Royal seat, Viking Farm and St. Olav’s Church

Discover rich cultural heritage at Avaldsnes, Norway’s oldest Royal seat, during a visit to Saint Olav’s Church, the Nordvegen History Centre and the Viking Farm. Explore the fascinating stories of kings, Vikings, and ancient seafaring routes that shaped Norway’s history. The breathtaking views across the North Sea transport you to an era of legendary folklore and striking landscapes.

Our road trip to Avaldsnes was not a planned stop on our weekend trip to Stavanger from Bergen. But when I found out what an important area it is for Viking history and Norway, I had to investigate.

Avaldsnes is a rich treasure trove of significant archaeological finds that keeps on giving and is the centre where powerful kings and chieftains lived for more than 3,000 years, from the Bronze Age into the Viking era.

What are the dates for the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Viking Age?

• Bronze Age: 5,000 to 1,400 years ago (1,200 BC)
• Iron Age: 1,200 BC to 500 BC
• Viking Age: 750 until 1100 AD. The first kings and chieftains appeared during the Viking Age. The start of this age has been debated. Archaeological signs indicate this period may have started in the early 700s.
• High Middle Ages: 1000 to 1300 AD

Watch for more stories on the cultural heritage of Norway coming soon from my month-long journey of discovery.

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Avaldsnes Norway’s oldest Royal seat

Why is Avaldsnes such an important location — and how Norway got its name

Avaldsnes sits at the narrowest point of the “North-Way” (Nordvegen), an important travel and trade route on the narrow straight of Karmsundet Sound. Its position made it an ideal strategic location for passage to the north. Whoever had the authority over this waterway controlled the shipping route to Europe.

This significant location is how Norway (Norge) got its name, the way (road) to the north.

Look carefully at this clever artistic rendition of Viking ships as they would have appeared in the sheltered harbour. Notice to the right there is a cleat where the ships would have been tied up.

I stood in awe, looking at the history unfolding before me.

Viking Ships as viewed in the harbour Avaldsnes Viking Settlement on Bukkøy Island. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

The North Way gave Norway its name – Nordvegen Norge Norway. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Who is Viking King Harald Fairhair?

Around 900, Viking King Harald Fairhair made Avaldsnes his home. Fairhair is credited with being Norway’s first king and founder, uniting all of Norway into one kingdom. Since then, Norway has had more than 60 named sovereigns.

Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway at the Nordvegen History Centre, features the history of Viking Kings and their families. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Avaldsnes archaeological discoveries

Unravelling the mysteries of Avaldsnes is an ongoing saga. Historians and scholars have been interested in this site since the 16th century because it was the residence and burial location of kings.

Long before Norway was unified, evidence shows Avaldsnes was a centre of power hundreds of years before.

Excavations of some sites began in the late 1880s but then stopped. Sites were recovered to preserve them, but even if a site is found, it does not mean it will be excavated in the near future.

In 2012, a stone medieval royal manor was uncovered. It was constructed between 1240 and 1319, the same time as St. Olav’s church. This royal manor may have been built by Håkon Håkonsson. Only three other medieval manors have been found—in Bergen, Oslo, and Tønsberg.

To date, the location of at least 36 graves has been identified but not fully examined. Soon, the Archaeological Museum of Stavanger hopes to explore these royal tombs. Three Viking ship burial mounds have been found on Karmøy Island: Grønhaug, which was 50 feet long (15 m) in 795 A.D., Storhaug ship, which was 65 feet long (20 m) in 779 A.D., and Salhushaugen, which is thought to be from the late 770s A.D., but its exact size has yet to be determined.

One common artifact find shows the discovery of whetstones as an important stone in everyday Viking life. Everyone needed one to function efficiently. This sharpening stone was vital for craftsmen and household tools, as well as crucial to Viking warriors to keep their equipment sharp and at the ready.

Avaldsnes archaeological discoveries of the medieval royal manor. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Are there still Viking villages in Norway?

Yes, there are still Viking villages in Norway. Today, recreated Viking villages provide an authentic look at how Vikings lived more than 1,000 years ago. The Viking re-enactors in the village wear traditional clothing from the Viking era and share their knowledge and skills to keep this important cultural knowledge alive. All food prepared is cooked using customary recipes with the foods available during the Viking Age.

Avaldsnes Viking Farm Vikinggard

Step back more than 1,000 years ago and immerse yourself in how Vikings lived at the Avaldsnes Viking Settlement on Bukkøy Island, a 15-20 minute walk from the Nordvegen History Centre.

The recreated Viking settlement is based on scientific evidence found by archaeologists in Rogaland, who are working with the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger. The experimental research farm project provides a wealth of information about how buildings from this era were built, including the materials and tools used.

The Viking Farm is open to the public during the summer months. Other times of the year, it serves as a learning camp for children.

The day we went to the Viking Farm we were lucky to have Annabelle take us on a guided tour to explain the way of life. In the summer, she provides information to visitors from all over the world. She works as a school teacher the rest of the year educating children about Viking history.

Viking Longhouse

The medium-sized longhouse on the Viking Farm is a home for 15-20 people. It would have one bed for the farmer, his wife, and younger children. It is pretty cozy by most standards today. Other people living here would sleep on benches covered by animal pelts.

Very strict rules were in place as to who could sit where. The owner of the home, the farmer, sat on the elevated area with his wife on one side and the child who would inherit the farm on the other. Next would be the rest of the children. His parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces would be on the opposite side. Workers sat at the table. Slaves, known as thralls, if they were allowed inside, sat closer to the door. This meant the less you were worth, the further you sat away from the fire.

The longhouse could accommodate up to 35 people, and when this happened, people would have to sleep on benches, sitting. This was not a pleasant situation.

Viking women’s roles in history and farming

The role of women in the Viking Age was vital. When the farmer married, he would present his wife with all his keys to every chest and door. If he held any back or made a copy, this would be a good reason for divorce, and his wife would keep her dowry. This symbolized the power a woman had in society over her husband.

In the longhouse, there was a women’s workroom with multiple benches. Here, women gathered from farms in the area to weave, Nålebind, spin their thread, and gossip. This was important to keep relationships going. The farmer’s wife would ask questions to gather information to tell her husband to help better their lives. She would learn which families to support or avoid and which skilled workers to use.

Viking Weapons and Armour

Chainmail, used to protect warriors in battle, is made of thousands of interlocking iron rings. It would take several ironsmiths one year to make full protective armour. The chainmail tunic shown in the photo below would cost the same as buying a farm the size of the Viking Farm for 20 people.

Today, modern imagery shows Vikings wearing chainmail when fighting. Kings could wear expensive metal during the Viking era, while common people wore regular clothing.

The most common Viking weapon was an axe. It was required as a tool for everyday life, and conveniently, it could be taken to the battlefield to kill someone. A spear and maybe some arrows could be used as weapons if the person had more money. If a person were rich, they would have a sword.

What is bog iron or swamp metal?

During this period, Norway’s metal came from the swamps and was thus called swamp iron or bog iron. The impure iron deposits were used for naturally rust-resistant tools and shipbuilding. They were not suitable for weapons or armour. The best metal for this purpose was taken from fighting others on the battlefield, mainly from Germany.

Annabelle explains the Viking chain mail battle armour displayed on the Viking Farm. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Learn about the Viking way of life on the Avaldsnes Viking Farm. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

The ancient art of Nålebinding

On our first stop, we watched Henning demonstrate the ancient technique of needle binding or Nålebinding. This method of creating fabric predates crocheting and knitting by more than 1,000 years. The process uses a single needle with varying lengths of yarn to make very tightly woven woollen clothing like hats, socks and mittens. The needle is usually made from cow bone.

Did you know the art of knitting was created in Egypt? While sources can’t fully back this statement up, London’s Mary and Albert Museum has a pair of socks from Egypt dating to the 3rd-5th century AD.

Henning demonstrates the ancient technique of needle binding or Nålebinding outside the Viking longhouse as we learn about the way of life on the Avaldsnes Viking Farm. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Rune stones, the cultural heritage and history of Norway

What is a Viking rune stone?

Rune stones are found all over Norway. Our guide, Annabelle, explains that a rune stone is inscribed with the area’s story. It was usually erected and dedicated to the king at the time. When archaeologists find a Viking rune stone, it provides essential information to help date the surrounding buildings.

A rune stone indicated a territory owned or protected by a king. Once visitors entered the gate of a fenced area owned by the king, they knew they could be reprimanded for their actions. This particular rune stone mentions the king of the time and indicates the farm grew rye.

The rune stone at the Viking farm is a replica engraved at the site’s first Viking Festival.

What is the oldest rune stone found?

During a grave dig near Oslo in the fall of 2021, archaeologists discovered a rune stone believed to date back more than 2,000 years ago. This exciting find, now called Svingerud Stone, displays the earliest known form of Nordic writing called runic.

Annabelle explains the importance of the rune stone and the cultural heritage and history of Norway at the Viking Farm in Avaldsnes. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Norse Mythology and Architecture

We followed Annabelle into the roundhouse or house of worship. Not many buildings like this have been found in Norway, so scholars are unsure about its exact use. Usually, when Vikings honoured their gods with rituals, they did so outside, standing on marked spaces.

Our guide explains, “One theory about this building is that when the Vikings started to venture off to other lands, they may have seen the churches and decided, we want something similar for our gods as well.”  She continued, “Our shaman has done a good job decorating to make it feel like you are going into a holy place.”

During this historic period, people worshiped more than 140 gods. Every day, they picked gods who would be most helpful to them in their daily lives. They would perform sermons and rituals to ask for favours.

The head on the top of the roundhouse belongs to Njǫrd, the god of the sea and fishing, one of the most important gods for the people who live by the sea. Njǫrd’s daughter Freyja was a goddess responsible for fertility, love, sex, beauty, sorcery, wealth, battle, and death. Thor was the god of lightning and thunder. Lightning was when he threw his hammer, and thunder was when it hit a giant’s head.

People would leave gifts in the swamps to ask the gods for a favour. When the gifts sank, they thought these offerings became one with the earth and went to the god in Valhalla, a mythical place warriors went to when they died.

Annabelle takes us inside the Viking Shaman House to learn more about Norway’s cultural heritage and history at the Viking Farm. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Norse Mythology and Architecture at the Viking Farm in Avaldsnes. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Viking Festival

Visiting Norway in June? The four-day Viking Festival at the Viking Farm is not to be missed. It is billed as the largest Viking Festival in Western Norway. The festival is held annually on the second weekend of the month. During this time, approximately 200 Viking enthusiasts from across Europe gather to live in tents, interact, and live as their ancestors did. There is lots of storytelling, entertainers, workshops, archery, combat games, horseback riding, and a craft market.

Nordvegen History Centre

Descend the stairway to access the Nordvegen History Centre. It’s built underground to protect the beauty of the natural environment.
The museum features the fascinating history of Viking kings and their families.

Historians believe Harald Hårfagre (Fairhair) to be the first king of Norway, 865-933 AD.

The Nordvegen History Centre is built underground to protect the beauty of the natural environment. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Display inside the Nordvegen History Centre. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

St. Olav’s Church

Avaldsnes St. Olav’s Church, built around 1250, is located on the grounds of the oldest royal seat in Norway. The church, constructed by King Håkon Håkonsson, was part of the royal manor. It is not the first church to sit on this site.

After a complete restoration in 1929, St.Olav’s church was nearly destroyed by the Germans during World War II. British pilots used it as a landmark for their bombers. Fortunately, local heritage authorities saved it from destruction by camouflaging it with a wooden structure, making it unrecognizable from the air.

Avaldsnes St. Olav’s Church is located on the grounds of the oldest royal seat in Norway. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Avaldsnes St. Olav’s Church is located on the grounds of the oldest royal seat in Norway. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Virgin Mary’s Sewing Needle

Many myths surround the famous Virgin Mary’s Sewing Needle obelisk, which dates from the Viking era. At 7.2 metres, it is Norway’s second tallest obelisk. This stone, along with five others in Avaldsnes, is thought to have been erected here around 200-300 A.D.

Legend says that if the Needle touches the church wall, Doomsday will descend, and the world will no longer exist. The top of the needle appears chipped away to prevent contact with the church wall.

Many myths surround the famous Virgin Mary’s sewing needle obelisk dating from the Viking era. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

The altar inside Avaldsnes St. Olav’s Church. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Outside St. Olav’s Church in Avaldsnes. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Avaldsnes St. Olav’s Church is located on the grounds of the oldest royal seat in Norway. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Pilgrimage to Avaldsnes St. Olav’s Church

Many have heard of the famous El Camino de Santiago walk to the Tomb of St. James at the Cathedral of Santiago, but did you know there is a less crowded journey in Northern Europe? People come from all over the world to travel along Norway’s nine pilgrimage routes to Trondheim, called “St. Olav Ways.”

For more than 1,000 years, pilgrims trekked along the Kystpilegrimsleia Coastal Path through Avaldsnes, stopping at St. Olav’s Church on their way to Saint Olav’s holy shrine at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.

The magnificent Nidaros Cathedral stands at the centre of Trondheim. This national shrine is where Norwegian Royals hold their coronations. The cathedral is built atop the nation’s patron saint, King Olav II. Watch for our story soon about Trondheim.

How to get to Avaldsnes

Avaldsnes, located on Karmøy Island, near Haugesund, is a 1 hr, 46 min drive north of Stavanger or 3 hours and 15 mins drive south of Bergen.

Are you heading to Norway? Here are a few other stories you may be interested in:

Discover 9 things to do in Stavanger Norway – A Travel Guide, Visit Alvøen, Norway’s oldest industrial community and Explore the medieval ruins of Lyse Abbey Norway.

While you’re planning your historical journey, you might also consider visiting the Suomenlinna UNESCO World Heritage Site, another remarkable destination in Finland known for its rich military history and stunning island fortifications.