Step Into Norway's Viking Age History In Stavanger

Forbes

26-03-2025

'Sverd i fjell' monument to the Viking Age in Stavanger, Norway.
The Viking Age was a defining era for Norway, leaving behind a legacy of exploration, conquest, and craftsmanship that still captures the imagination today.
Look no further than several recent hit TV series for proof of how Viking stories—fact and fiction—continue to fascinate global audiences and shape modern perceptions of this dramatic period in Scandinavian history.
Founded in 1125 and marking its 900th anniversary in 2025, Stavanger is one of Norway's most historic cities. While best known today for its role in the country's oil and gas industry, the city's roots stretch back much further.
Stavanger sits near the site of a legendary Viking battle that helped shape the nation.
Such is the influence of this story that even the city's professional soccer club is named Viking, but, until recently, relatively little else was known about the time period in the region.
Recent archaeological studies at Stavanger Cathedral have shown evidence that Stavanger was a farming settlement at the beginning of the Viking Age, and grew throughout the period into a center for craft and trade.
Today, visitors can explore that history through monuments and immersive experiences that bring the Viking Age to life.
A short drive or bus ride from the central district is Sverd i fjell (Swords in the rock), one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
A striking monument overlooking the Hafrsfjord, these three giant bronze swords stand embedded in the rock, commemorating the legendary Battle of Hafrsfjord from 872 CE.
According to Norwegian history, it was here that King Harald Fairhair united several smaller kingdoms to become the first king of a unified Norway.
The swords symbolize peace, unity, and freedom, towering above the fjord as a powerful reminder of the nation's Viking past.
Close by, visitors can continue their journey through the past at the Iron Age Farm (Jernaldergården). This reconstructed settlement, based on archaeological findings, offers a hands-on experience of daily life more than 1,500 years ago—before the Viking Age began.
Stavanger's Iron Age Farm offers a deeper exploration of Stavanger before the Viking Age began.
Visitors can step inside longhouses with open hearths, learn about farming techniques, and gain a deeper appreciation for the lives of the people who laid the foundations of Norway's Viking society.
For a more immersive experience, visitors can head downtown to Viking House, a modern attraction that uses the latest virtual reality technology to bring Viking history vividly to life.
Wearing an Oculus Rift S headset, guests are transported back more than a thousand years to experience dramatic tales from the Viking Age.
Highlights include the rise of Harald Fairhair and a retelling of the Battle of Hafrsfjord, offering valuable context to a visit to the swords monument. It's an engaging way to connect the legend with the landscape.
For a deeper understanding of the Viking Age and its lasting impact on the region, visitors can explore the Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger.
The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts excavated from Viking burial sites and settlements across Rogaland, including weapons, tools, jewelry, and everyday objects, providing valuable insight into the craftsmanship, trade networks, and social structures of Norse society.
The museum also features the 12,400-year-old skeleton of a polar bear. Unearthed on the nearby island of Finnøy, it's one of the most complete Ice Age polar bear finds anywhere in the world. The bear's remains provide a glimpse into the region's prehistoric fauna and climatic conditions.
While Stavanger's Viking Age heritage draws many visitors, the city offers plenty more to explore.
A stroll through Gamle Stavanger reveals one of Europe's best-preserved collection of wooden houses, with more than 170 white-painted homes lining cobbled streets near the waterfront and cruise port. Once home to fishermen and labourers, the district is now a charming reminder of the city's maritime past, yet still an active residential area.
For a deeper understanding of Norway's modern history, the Norwegian Petroleum Museum offers a fascinating look at the oil and gas industry that transformed Stavanger into one of the country's wealthiest cities. Interactive exhibits explain the complex offshore operations that continue to drive the region's economy.
Stavanger has also earned a global reputation for street art, thanks in part to the NuArt Festival. Large-scale murals from international artists can be found throughout the city, adding a contemporary edge to the historic surroundings.
For those with more time, Flor og Fjære offers a unique escape—an island garden paradise reached by boat, known for its colourful displays and guided tours. Meanwhile, nature lovers can venture out on a cruise along Lysefjord, where dramatic cliffs and waterfalls provide a striking contrast to Stavanger's urban appeal.