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Stavanger - Culture

Stavanger is located in southwest of Norway, a port on the Atlantic Ocean, a modern town of (1999 estimate) 112.000 inhabitants. Stavanger is a pioneer in many ways. By the time of the first historical records of Scandinavia, about the 8th century AD, some 29 small kingdoms existed in Norway. In AD 872 the first king of Norway, Harald Fair Hair, fought a ferocious battle in Hafrsfjord, 5 km from Stavanger, and Norway was united at last under one ruler.

From a brief description of Stavanger`s past, stone monuments to him can be seen all around the area as can monuments the famous chieftain Erling Skjalgsson, who freed his slaves a thousand years before this became a popular philosophy.

A historic highlight for the last half of the 20th century was when oil was found under the ocean that once provided large fish-canning industri. Now, this part of Norway is the nation`s richest. Because of Stavanger`s healthy economy and good standard of living, thousands of people from 90 nations have made Stavanger their home.

Walk along the sidewalk in Stavanger and look at the windows in private homes. Look carefully at Stavanger`s houses. While at first glance they do not appear so far removed from a simple frame of ranch-style homes in other countries, closer examinations reveals additional proof of the Norwegian need for the outdoors, for light. "Our honor and power have been given us by the white sails," wrote Norwegian author Bjoernstjerne Bjoernson as early as 1868. He was right. Shipping and trading in lumber have, more than anything else, laid the foundation for Norwegian growth. The picture below showing old "seahouses" in the harbour - from that time of the "white sails." Today those old buildings are mostly cafè and gourmet restaurants.

During the sunlit summer the harbour and the nearby marked place - and the fresh-fish marked - are outdoors roofless living rooms - with musicians and street peddlers, open air restaurants, and lightly-clad people who seem to have all the time in the world. There is no sport or open air-activity which can`t be practiced within the city`s borders, summer or winter. You can sail or swim in salt water, or in fresh water if you prefer. You can go ice skating or slalom skiing.

Archeological treasures can be found all along Stavanger`s coastline that date man`s occupation here back to the beginning of the current climatic period. Traces of Stone Age and Iron Age man join scattered Vikings remains: Proving that Norway has always been "the way north".

The foundation of Stavanger are however tied to the history of the Cathedral. The year of Stavanger`s foundation has been set at 1125. The Cathedral was named for St. Svithun. St. Swithin or Swithun (died 862) was an english bishop of Winchester from 852 to 862 and patron saint of Winchester Cathedral from 10th to the 16th centrury.

According to later chroniclers, St. Svithun was spiritual adviser to Egbert and Ethelwuf, kings of the West Saxons. The first Christian influence to coastal Norway came mainly from England. Stavanger became a bishopric in 11th during the periode of King Sigurd Jorsalfare (1090-1130). Jorsalfarier comes from old norse language, meaning someone that have been a colorful Pilgrim to Jerusalem (Josalir, Jorsalaborg).

By the 16th century Stavanger was the most important town along the Norwegian coast. By the Union of Kalmar (Sweden) the three Scandinavian kingdoms were made a single unit. Norway became a province of Denmark and Lutheranism its official religion. In 1682 the bishopric was transferred to Kristiansand starting on a downward trend. The administrative organization of Stavanger until the end of the middle ages took place mainly in the churches and the bishop`s recidece.

The Black Death, the plague, devastated the town. The plague which had swept through Norway and the rest of Europe in the 14th century, killing up to one-third of the population. The subsequent general decline affected religious administration, social conditions, populations and buildings.

Old Stavanger consists of more than 150 old timber houses built in the late 18th and early 19th century. The site, being the best preserved collection of timber houses in northern Europe, is preserved by law as a historical monument, and gives a real impression of the old city.
The houses are partly in private ownership, and partly owned by the City. There is no fee to visit the site, no cars (let your kids run around!) and many places to sit down and enjoy your half kilo of fresh shrimps you may have just bought from the old fisherman down at the harbour....

When in Stavanger, particularly Old Stavanger, do not miss the Canning Museum (Hermetikkmuseet) in Ovre Strandgate 88a. This is a living museum in an old canning factory where brisling is smoked, for you to taste. A fine museum, providing you with the data on the most exiting (my opinion) historical account of Stavanger. Here, you will see why Stavanger looks as it does!

Passing Old Stavanger, and having been impressed by the Canning Museum; continue to the Norwegian Printing Museum in Sandviga 24. They will give you a fine introduction to the old printing crafts, and show you how the herring industry gave birth to Stavanger's highly advanced graphical expertise.
Next door, we have the International Cultural and Activity Centre.

The Sword in Stone (“Sverd i fjell”) monument at Hafrsfjord is a powerful memorial of the decisive battle that took place here in the year of 872, when King Harald Harfagre made Norway one kingdom.

The Norwegian Emigration Centre with their National Archives and genealogical research centre, located in Bergjelandsgaten 30, is also worth a visit. It also arrange the Emigration Festival every year, between June 22 and 29.

Archaeological Museum in Peder Klowsgate 30 displays interesting artifacts covering 15.000 years of history. Rogaland has an incredible collection of ancient relics.

The Iron Age Farm at Ullandhaug is a reconstructed farm-stead from the Migration Period, open during the summer season. Here you can see an interesting portrayal of Iron Age life.

Stavanger Museum at Musegata 16 has a zoological exhibition of animals and birds from all over the world. There is also now a new town history exhibition with life-like scenes from Stavanger’s 870-year tradition.

Rogaland Art Museum at Tjensvoll 6, displays 1500 paintings from the 19th century, many by Lars Hertervig. (Fantastic paintings from the region around Stavanger dating from the 18th century. I strongly advise you to see them!)

At Eiganesveien 40a, I recommend that you spend a couple of hours, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere of the Swiss-chalet style Breidablikk mansion dating from 1881. (Museum) Also displays old landaus and sledges in its barn museum.

Just across the street, at Eiganesveien 45, you will see the Ledaal Herregaardsmuseum (Mansion Museum). This magnificent and beautiful old house, a fine example of the Neo-Classical, was the summer residence of the Kielland (writer) family from 1799.

Maritime Museum, Nedre Strandgaten 17/19, displays the important maritime history of the area for the past 200 years. (Easy to find; At the harbour just across the street from the fish market.)

The medieval church, Stavanger Cathedral (Domkirke) dating from 1125, is always open. Come in, sit down, relax and enjoy the very beautiful church of ours!
Of all the Norwegian churches built in the Middle Ages, our cathedral is the only one that has retained its original style.
Adjacent to the church, the upper secondary school, Kongsgard, is located. For the last 150 years the buildings have served as a school, but prior to that it was a residence of kings, bishops and district governors.

The Missionary Museum (Misjonsmuseet) at Misjonsveien 34 has many interesting artifacts and relics from Africa, Asia and South America.

Text provided by: Michael Holmboe Meyer

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