Stavanger Attractions
Post code: N-4000
Telephone code: 04
Stavanger, chief town of Rogaland county, lies on the southwestern coast of Norway on the Byfjord or Boknafjord, an arm of the Stavangerfjord. It has an excellent harbor sheltered by offshore islands and is the commercial center of the surrounding area. Major elements in the town's economy are an oil refinery, fish-canning factories and, most importantly, its shipyards (which construct oil-rigs as well as ships). Some 320km/200mi south of Stavanger, in the North Sea, are a number of Norwegian offshore oilfields (Tor, Ekofisk and Eldfisk).
History
Stavanger is one of the oldest towns in Norway. It was the see of a bishop from the 12th to the 17th century, when it lost this status to Kristiansand (1682). Towards the end of the 18th century the town had its own merchant shipping fleet, and a great economic upswing began in the second half of the 19th century with the growth of the herring and sprat fisheries and the fish-canning industry. In recent years Stavanger has gained increased importance with the development of the North Sea oil industry.
Noted as a popular recreation area, Stavanger has several lakes nearby and enjoys mild maritime climate. Stavanger also hosts the MaiJazz festival every May and the International Chamber Music Festival in August.
Stavanger is a European Capital of Culture for 2008.
Telephone code: 04
Stavanger, chief town of Rogaland county, lies on the southwestern coast of Norway on the Byfjord or Boknafjord, an arm of the Stavangerfjord. It has an excellent harbor sheltered by offshore islands and is the commercial center of the surrounding area. Major elements in the town's economy are an oil refinery, fish-canning factories and, most importantly, its shipyards (which construct oil-rigs as well as ships). Some 320km/200mi south of Stavanger, in the North Sea, are a number of Norwegian offshore oilfields (Tor, Ekofisk and Eldfisk).
History
Stavanger is one of the oldest towns in Norway. It was the see of a bishop from the 12th to the 17th century, when it lost this status to Kristiansand (1682). Towards the end of the 18th century the town had its own merchant shipping fleet, and a great economic upswing began in the second half of the 19th century with the growth of the herring and sprat fisheries and the fish-canning industry. In recent years Stavanger has gained increased importance with the development of the North Sea oil industry.
Noted as a popular recreation area, Stavanger has several lakes nearby and enjoys mild maritime climate. Stavanger also hosts the MaiJazz festival every May and the International Chamber Music Festival in August.
Stavanger is a European Capital of Culture for 2008.
Klosterøy - Utstein Abbey
In the fjord to the north of Stavanger are numerous islands and islets. On the little Klosterøy, which is linked with the larger island of Mosterøy by a bridge, is the Augustinian abbey of Utstein (first mentioned in the records in the 13th century), the best preserved monastic house in Norway. Klosterøy can be reached from Stavanger by motor launch.
Hours
March 1 to May 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 |
May 15 to September 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
September 15 to November 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 |
Lysefjord
To the east of Stavanger, beyond the Høgsfjord (pleasant trip by motor launch from the Strandkai), lies the Lysefjord, a cleft in the mountains 37km/23mi long, up to 2km/1.25mi wide and up to 457m/1,500ft deep, with bright green water. The fjord is enclosed by sheer walls of rock rising to above 1,000m/3,300ft.
Prekestolen
The most striking feature in the Stavanger fjord is the Prekestol ("Pulpit"), a flat-topped crag 597m/1,960ft high. It can be reached from Stavanger on Road 13, which comes in 24km/15mi to Lauvvik, on the Høgsfjord, from which there is a ferry across the fjord to Oanes. From there Road 13 continues north to Jøssang, where a side road goes off on the right to the Prekestolhytta, from which it is a two-hour walk to the Prekestol.
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Stavanger Cathedral
This 11th C Cathedral is second only to the Trondheim Cathedral in Norway. Highlights include the Baroque pulpit and the stained glass of the east window.
Vålandshaugen
The best views of Stavanger, the fjord and the surrounding hills are to be had from the Vålandshaug (85m/280ft), in a park to the south of the town. It is reached by way of Hornklovesgate.
Archaeological Museum
To the southwest of the Stavanger Municipal Museum, in Storgate, are the Archaeological Museum (with a special exhibition, "Kaleidoscope") and the Vestland School Museum (old furnishings, equipment and teaching material).
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Bjergsted Park
To the northwest of Stavanger, reached by way of Løkkeveien, is Bjergsted Park, with a restaurant and several viewpoints.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Byhaugen
To the west of Stavanger is Byhaugen (76m/250ft), from which there is a fine view of the Ryfylkefjell to the northeast.
Cruise Port
From here, majestic cruise ships depart for distant ports of call. While docked, these mighty ships are a spectacle for all to see.
Emigration Festival
This annual festival pays tribute to Norwegian emigrants to the United States. Events include folk concerts, theatrical performances and visual arts exhibitions. An emigration center is also opened at Bergjelandsgt. 30, to trace family histories.
Flyhistorisk Museum Sola
This museum focuses on aircraft that were used at the Sola military base and the Stavanger airport. Includes parts of wartime aircraft retrieved from wreck-sites.
Hours
April 26 to June 21
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 |
June 22 to August 22
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
August 23 to November 29
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 |
Kongsgård
To the south of the Stavanger Cathedral, on the northern shore of the Breiavatn, is the Kongsgård, originally the Bishop's Palace. Later a grammar school, the Kongsgård Skole, was built on the foundations of the palace. The bishop's private chapel (Bispekapellet) has been restored.
Ledaal House
To the west of Stavanger is Ledaal House, a mansion built about 1800 for the Kielland family. It features in Alexander Kielland's novels under the name of Sandsgård. The house is now used for receptions and other functions.
Hours
June 15 to August 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
August 16 to June 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 11:00 |
| Close | 15:00 |
Market Square
Northwest of Stavanger's Cathedral, extending to the harbor inlet (Vågen), is the Market Square (Torget), the scene of lively activity on weekdays. In the square can be seen a bronze statue (by Magnus Vigrestad) of the Stavanger-born novelist and playwright Alexander Kielland (1849-1906).
Municipal Museum
Immediately south of the Breivatn is the railroad station, and beyond this are the Theater and, in Muségata, the Municipal Museum (antiquities, natural history, ethnography, ships and the sea). An item of particular interest in the museum is the earliest skeleton found in Norway (at Viste, 10km/6mi northwest of Stavanger, where there are caves which were inhabited in Stone Age times).
Old Town
Northwest of the Market Square, on the far side of Vågen, lies Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger), with many old houses. In Nedre Strandgate, occupying an old merchant's house, is the Maritime Museum (history of seafaring, etc.).
Stavanger Art Gallery
West of Stavanger's Archaeological Museum, at Madlaveien 33, the Art Gallery houses works by the painter Lars Hertervig.
Ullandhaugen
3.5km/2mi southwest of Stavanger is Ullandhaugen (131m/417ft), with a telecommunications tower (viewing platform) and a plaque commemorating Harald Fairhair's naval victory in 872, which gave him control of the whole country.
Valbergtårn
To the north of Stavanger's Market Square, between Vågen and the East Harbor (Østre Havn), is the Holmen peninsula, the oldest part of the town. In this area, near Kirkegata, which runs north from the Cathedral, stands the Valbergtårn, an old watch-tower on the highest point in the town (views; exhibition of arts and crafts).
