King Håkon Håkonsson began the work on St. Olav's Church in 1250. It is probably the third church to be situated on this site. The Viking king Olav Tryggvasson built a small wooden church here in around 1000.
Built on a former pagan cult site
St. Olav's Church was probably built on a former pagan cult site and has been associated with the Ygdrasil cult. It was surrounded by several large standing stones dating back to around 200 AD. The largest and most famous of these stones can be seen on the north side of the church.
Is St. Olav's Church open to the public throughout the year?
From 24 June to 8 August, St. Olav's Church is open to visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays from 12:00–15:30. Guided tours are otherwise available for groups on request.
Are there guided tours of St. Olav's Church?
Cultural events at St. Olav's Church
A range of cultural events are held at St. Olav's Church throughout the year. One of the biggest events is St. Olav's Day, which takes place in July each year. The Regional Pilgrimage Centre and pilgrimages to St. Olav's Church also hold a number of events at St. Olav's Church.
How do I get to St. Olav's Church?
- By car from Haugesund: follow the E134 road over the bridge to Karmøy, turn left at the second roundabout after the bridge, then follow the signs to Nordvegen Historiesenter/ Olavskirken. There is ample parking at the church.
- By bus from Haugesund: It’s also possible to take public transport to Avaldsnes. From the centre of Haugesund, buses 208, 209 and 210 stop at Avaldsnes. It takes about 20–30 minutes to walk to St. Olav's Church from the Avaldsnes bus stop.
Other thing to do when visiting Avaldsnes
Nordvegen History Centre and the Viking Farm at Avaldsnes are close to St. Olav's Church. Both are well worth a visit, especially for history enthusiasts and those visiting with children. Just a short drive from Avaldsnes is the Visnes Mining Museum.
