Haugesund Things to Do

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It is a big history behind that church in Avaldsnes and this is why I have preferred to write a special "tip" for it only.
First of all, you'll be impressed by the location on the top of the hill, dominating the entire area, and the simple, early gothic shape.
It is somehow specific to the early gothic (even more specific to the one on Northern Europe) as the construction itself still kept the Romanic simplicity, heavy stone walls and narrow windows.
The arcades and arches are clearly gothic and I found interesting a blocked door on the north wall of the church.
I will up-load here a photo with it... Its construction is so "asymmetric" and the result is perfect, isn't it?

The stone lying against the northern wall is called Mary’s needle and the legend is saying that the Day of Judgment will come when the “needle” will come in contact with the church walls on.
I was looking a bit closer at the stone and it seems obvious that somebody had broken the tip of it, probably trying to postpone a bit the final :)

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I was first time in Avaldsnes few years ago but being again in the area in October this year, I have used my opportunity to go back there, on a Saturday.
Being as lucky as usual, I have participated by chance at a wedding ceremony in that old church in Avaldsnes and I was, of course, impressed by it.
So simple and decent, so pure and quiet... beautiful indeed.
Congratulations!

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If you have a car and some free time, Våga is not so far south of Haugesund and it is another place telling you more about Norway and Norwegians.
Only few houses lying in a quit area, with a small port, where I've tried (whithout success, as usual) to get at least a makerel :)

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Disappointed that it was possible to drive up to the antenna on Steinfjellet, I have decided that it could be a good idea to use some of my energy exploring the swampy valleys and rocky hills around.
It is a good idea indeed, but I would recommend wearing good boots instead of the sport shoes I have used.
And don't forget that there is a lot of mud, if you'll choose to get there with your trendy clothes :)
When I finished my 3-4 hrs walk, I was as dirty as a pig :(
You’ll find here some photos to tell you all about that trip.
The way the tracks are marked shall be improved as I’ve felt lost few times even if the area I’ve covered was not so big.

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Before starting the "exploration"of Haugesund, I have thought that it might be a good idea to have the overview of the city, the first point I have found on the map being Steinfjellet.
I was really surprised that I could go to the top by car, but I have compensated with a four hrs trip on the valleys around Steinfjellet.
You'll get some photos and details on some other tips :)

the monument was build by the norwegian people in 1872 as a celebration that it was 1000 years since norway became one country by king harald , it was belived the king was burried here. The big oblisk is representing the new country and the small ones (29) is the many kingdoms that got together as one kingdom. The saga by Snorre tell us that the king got ill and died at Avaldsnes ( where there is a viking village today) and was buried somewhere along Karmsund, in the area here you will also find an old stone cross (75 meter south of Haaldshaugen) its from around year 1000 and was use as an outdoor church befor they started to build churches

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This is a monement of Harald Hairfair the first Norwegian king. He was the king who unite Norway to one kingdom, before it Norway was divided into many small and medium countries. There was small kingdoms ruled by other kings that was called small kings in Norwegian history. Harald Hairfair died near where the city of Haugesund was build. the monement was build for him in the 1800th.

There is no entre fee for the area because it is a free for everyone to vist it without paying anything. :-)

This is a beatiful small church that has a nice wiew over Nordvegen , the seaway between Stavanger and Bergen,
Its belived ito have built on a ancient pagan cult site that was formed around a circle of 5 large stones. The church was buildt in a early Goyhic style around 1250AD when Norways power and influence was at its mightiest. This site also symbolises the foundations of the kingdom of Norway established by King Håkon Håkonson.
On one on the side there is a stone leaning towards the church...its called marias needle ..and the legend say that when it touch the church the world will go under...

We came by boat but u can also come by car.

Here u can retrace the steps of the ancient kings around the historic landscape of Avaldsnes.
In the middle of the forest you will find several reconstructed buildings from the Viking period (900AD). I

t feels like going back in time and u can bring food and use the barbeeque.

Avaldsnes is the ancient seat of Norways kings

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Near Haraldshaugen there is a hill with a kross on that is called krosshaug in Norwegian. This is one of the oldest cross in Norway it's 1000 years so the historians says.