Day 61 Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger (pronounced Star-vang-ya) is Norways fourth largest city with a population of 146,000. Founded in 1125, Stavanger has a rich history that is evident in its well-preserved old town, Gamle Stavanger.  This area features charming 18th and 19th century wooden houses that are protected as part of the city's cultural heritage.  The old town is just 900 metres from where we are docked so after lunch today we strolled through the cobblestone streets. 

Today's tour had the romantic name of Summer's Paradise.  It was not a summers day today however, with bleak skies.  Fortunately for us though, the temperature remains relatively mild.  Once onboard the bus we leave Stavanger behind and are on our way to Villa Rosenhage.  Norway, like many other European countries are masterful at tunnel building and we pass through two tunnels, one 6km long and the other 14km.  Once we leave the tunnels we are in the countryside and at the beginning of a large Fjord.  We follow along the edge of the Fjord until we reach the village of Jørpeland, where Villa Rosenhage is situated.

We are ushered inside the wonderful house circa 1912 and seated at tables where we are served tea and coffee with a soft waffle accompanied by strawberry jam and sour cream. While we were eating, the young owner regaled us with stories about the history of the house.  There is a lovely garden leading down to the harbour where we are encouraged to wander after our meal. We also wander the Main Street of Jørpeland that is filled with antique shops.  Not my thing but others enjoyed it.

We now follow along the Fjord to a lookout that our guide assures us will take our breath away.  The lookout lies between the Høllesli Tunnel that we pass through, and the Lysefjord Bridge.  The road across the bridge seemingly disappears into the mountain as we pass by.  

Our guide was not wrong when he said the view from the viewing point would be spectacular.  I wish it would have been a nicer day but honestly the cloudy skies across the Fjord make for a very moody and beautiful photograph.  The fjord is 42 km in length and at the entrance to the fjord it is around 10m in depth and at the deepest part it is 467 metres.  The soaring mountains on either side are around 1200 metres high.  

We re-trace our steps back to Stavanger through the long tunnels and we have one last stop that is Sverd I Fjell. This is a monument to the vikings and is three ten metre high bronze swords that look like they have been stabbed into the ground by a giant.  The artwork was created to commemorate Norway becoming a kingdom in 872 AD.  The swords symbolise peace, unity and freedom.

Stavanger is a beautiful city and its economy has evolved significantly over the years with the discovery of oil in the North Sea.  This lead to Stavanger becoming Norways "oil capital" driving rapid economic growth and population increase.  I took this photo from our balcony looking towards the old town when we arrived this morning.