SOO MUCH MORE THAN OUTDOOR ADVENTURES!
ICE-AGE ROOTS
The first traces of human settlement in Stavanger date back to the end of the last ice-age, 10,000 years ago. The region’s rich Viking history includes the Battle of Harfsfjord, where the viking king Harald Fairhair’s triumph resulted in Norway becoming one kingdom.
The city’s name comes from the Old Norse Stafangr, which was a combination of stafr, meaning ‘staff’ or ‘branch’ and angr, meaning ‘inlet or bay’. The name likely describes the city’s geographic position on a peninsula.
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Petroglyphs at Austre Amoy
Terje Rakke/Nordic Life/Region Stavanger
RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
The Stavanger region is home to Norway’s oldest cathedral, Stavanger Domkirke, dating back to 1125 (official foundation) and its best-preserved medieval monastery, Utstein Kloster (1160).
Christianity arrived in Stavanger via trade connections with Continental Europe and Great Britain, and flourished during the time of the Vikings. By the mid 10th century, Christian priests had established themselves in the city and traditional Norse burial ceremonies ceased to exist.
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Stavanger Domkirke
Terje Rakke/Nordic Life/Region Stavanger
WARTIME STAVANGER
Nazi bombers attacked Stavanger on April 9, 1940 and the city was occupied by German forces until May 9, 1945. During that time, the Nazis built reinforcements and mine fields throughout the region.
In many cases, remnants of the occupation can still be found. Bunkers still stand on many of the area’s beaches, and land mines from the period continue to be uncovered, even today.
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Nazi-Built Bunker @ Solastrand Beach
Andrea F. Røed
WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
Stavanger’s city center is compact, and most attractions are reachable on foot. Spend a day exploring museums, relaxing at cafes, and exploring the city’s old-world charm, without needing to navigate public transportation.
The city is also home to some of Europe’s best-preserved settlements of wooden houses, which has helped preserved the city’s small town vibe. Gamle Stavanger, or old town, is a collection of 250 small, white wood cottages that were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. A stroll through its narrow, cobblestone-paved streets will surely take you back in time!
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Gamle Stavanger
Eduardo Grund / regionstavanger.com
WORLD-CLASS CUISINE & STREET ART
Stavanger is a great city for foodies! It’s home to an impressive array of unique eateries, including two Michelin-starred restaurants, RE-NAA (local/Nordic cuisine) and Sabi Omakase (sushi). Stavanger also has an established community of artisan food producers and hosts the largest food festival in Scandinavia, Gladmat, every July.
In addition to being a haven for food lovers, Stavanger is a world-class destination for street art. Every September, the city hosts a street & urban art festival, NuArt, which has become a yearly platform for artists who create works using alternative mediums. The festival, which first took place in 2001, has helped Stavanger collect a substantial portfolio of artworks by known international street artists.
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NuArt street art festival i Stavanger
CH – visitnorway.com
WHILE YOU’RE HERE…
Are you planning on joining one of our outdoor adventures but are wondering what else you can do while visiting the Stavanger region? There’s plenty to do and see, it’s just a matter of finding the activities that suit you best!
To see what else the area has to offer, we recommend that you take a look at the regional tourism portal, where you’ll find detailed information about other things that may interest you:
REGION STAVANGER-RYFYLKE
