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Stavanger
KNOWLEDGE OF Stavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway, located on the southwest coast of Norway. It is the fourth largest city and the centre of the third largest metropolitan area in the country. The climate is typically maritime and rather windy, and snow on the ground does not last long. Summers are pleasant and lowland areas in and around Stavanger has the longest growing season in Norway (215 days).
The city itself is a combination of new and old. There is a significant foreign influence with a nearby NATO base, as well as foreign oil interests. Norway's oldest Cathedral, Stavanger domkirke, is situated right in the city centre. Stavanger has several beautiful lakes, which are popular recreation areas. Breiavatnet is located in the heart of Stavanger, while Mosvatnet and Stokkavatnet are situated right outside.
Stavanger Airport is located 14 km from the city centre, in the municipality of Sola. One of the local football teams, Viking F.K., plays in the Norwegian top league (2004). The city now has a brand new football stadium, Viking Stadion, which was opened in 2004.
Stavanger (Old Norse 'Stafangr' which means Staff-fjord) was founded in the year 1125, mainly because the Stavanger bisphopric was established in the 1120s. But even before that time Stavanger fulfilled an important urban role. A number of historians have argued convincingly that Nord-Jæren was an economic and military centre as far back as the 800-900s with the consolidation of the nation at Hafrsfjord. Stavanger grew into a centre of civic administration and an important south-west coast market town around 1100-1200. With the reformation in 1536, Stavanger's role as a religious centre declined, and the establishment of Kristiansand in the early 17th century led to the relocation of the bisphopric. However, rich herring fisheries in the 19th century gave the city new life.
The city's history is a continuous alternation between upswings and recessions. The city and its surroundings is deeply rooted in religion and Christian life, and for long periods of time its most important industries have been shipping, shipbuilding, the canning industry and associated subcontractors.
In 1969 a new upswing started as oil was first discovered in the North Sea. After much discussion Stavanger was chosen to be the on-shore center for the oil industry on the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, and a period of hectic growth followed. In 2003 Norway was the world's third largest exporter of crude oil oil.
For tourists, an interesting suggestion is to head for the hills. Two of the best day hikes in Norway (some would say in the world) are located a couple of hours out of town on the beautiful Lysefjorden. Not too far from Stavanger, alpine centers are ready for skiers and snowboarders throughout winter season.
Prekestolen (aka the Pulpit Rock) is a massive rock overhanging the fjord. It's a 3-4 hour round trip hike with fabulous views. Kjeragbolten is a rock wedged in the cliff 1000 meters above the fjord. It's a more strenuous 4-5 hour hike out and a longer drive, but a spectacular look down from the rock. The free fall makes Kjerag a very popular location for BASE jumping.
Along the coast south of Stavanger there are a number of large, sandy beaches, among which the one at Sola is within closest reach from the city. The beaches are quite unique in a country where fjords and mountains dominate. These beaches are widely used by the locals for walks and wind surfers all year around and for bathing during summer.
For the more urban minded, Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger) is located right next to the city centre. This collection of eighteenth- and nineteenth century wooden structures is one of the finest in Northern Europe. Most houses in Old Stavanger are privately owned and maintained, and in the area you will also find the studios of a number of local artists and artisans. The Norwegian Canning Museum is also located in Old Stavanger, commemorating the city's past glory as the herring capital of Norway. The city centre itself is small and intimate, with narrow streets and open spaces protected from car traffic. The open-air vegetable market is one of the very few in Norway (if not the only one) where you can buy produce directly from local farmers every working day through the year. Stavanger domkirke (St. Svithun's cathedral) was built between 1100 and 1125 by the English bishop Reinald in Anglo-Norman style, and in the late 13th century a new choir was added in Gothic style, with a vaulted roof. Among old stone churches in Norway the cathedral in Stavanger is among the best preserved. The cathedral is recognized as one of Norway's most beautiful medieval structures. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum is located at the harbour. The museum reflects the fact that Stavanger has been Norway's oil capital since oil drilling activities started in the North Sea in 1966.
Every May, Stavanger is host to MaiJazz, the Stavanger International Jazz Festival. Stavanger was the host port of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race in 1997 and 2004.
The city itself is a combination of new and old. There is a significant foreign influence with a nearby NATO base, as well as foreign oil interests. Norway's oldest Cathedral, Stavanger domkirke, is situated right in the city centre. Stavanger has several beautiful lakes, which are popular recreation areas. Breiavatnet is located in the heart of Stavanger, while Mosvatnet and Stokkavatnet are situated right outside.
Stavanger Airport is located 14 km from the city centre, in the municipality of Sola. One of the local football teams, Viking F.K., plays in the Norwegian top league (2004). The city now has a brand new football stadium, Viking Stadion, which was opened in 2004.
Stavanger (Old Norse 'Stafangr' which means Staff-fjord) was founded in the year 1125, mainly because the Stavanger bisphopric was established in the 1120s. But even before that time Stavanger fulfilled an important urban role. A number of historians have argued convincingly that Nord-Jæren was an economic and military centre as far back as the 800-900s with the consolidation of the nation at Hafrsfjord. Stavanger grew into a centre of civic administration and an important south-west coast market town around 1100-1200. With the reformation in 1536, Stavanger's role as a religious centre declined, and the establishment of Kristiansand in the early 17th century led to the relocation of the bisphopric. However, rich herring fisheries in the 19th century gave the city new life.
The city's history is a continuous alternation between upswings and recessions. The city and its surroundings is deeply rooted in religion and Christian life, and for long periods of time its most important industries have been shipping, shipbuilding, the canning industry and associated subcontractors.
In 1969 a new upswing started as oil was first discovered in the North Sea. After much discussion Stavanger was chosen to be the on-shore center for the oil industry on the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, and a period of hectic growth followed. In 2003 Norway was the world's third largest exporter of crude oil oil.
For tourists, an interesting suggestion is to head for the hills. Two of the best day hikes in Norway (some would say in the world) are located a couple of hours out of town on the beautiful Lysefjorden. Not too far from Stavanger, alpine centers are ready for skiers and snowboarders throughout winter season.
Prekestolen (aka the Pulpit Rock) is a massive rock overhanging the fjord. It's a 3-4 hour round trip hike with fabulous views. Kjeragbolten is a rock wedged in the cliff 1000 meters above the fjord. It's a more strenuous 4-5 hour hike out and a longer drive, but a spectacular look down from the rock. The free fall makes Kjerag a very popular location for BASE jumping.
Along the coast south of Stavanger there are a number of large, sandy beaches, among which the one at Sola is within closest reach from the city. The beaches are quite unique in a country where fjords and mountains dominate. These beaches are widely used by the locals for walks and wind surfers all year around and for bathing during summer.
For the more urban minded, Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger) is located right next to the city centre. This collection of eighteenth- and nineteenth century wooden structures is one of the finest in Northern Europe. Most houses in Old Stavanger are privately owned and maintained, and in the area you will also find the studios of a number of local artists and artisans. The Norwegian Canning Museum is also located in Old Stavanger, commemorating the city's past glory as the herring capital of Norway. The city centre itself is small and intimate, with narrow streets and open spaces protected from car traffic. The open-air vegetable market is one of the very few in Norway (if not the only one) where you can buy produce directly from local farmers every working day through the year. Stavanger domkirke (St. Svithun's cathedral) was built between 1100 and 1125 by the English bishop Reinald in Anglo-Norman style, and in the late 13th century a new choir was added in Gothic style, with a vaulted roof. Among old stone churches in Norway the cathedral in Stavanger is among the best preserved. The cathedral is recognized as one of Norway's most beautiful medieval structures. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum is located at the harbour. The museum reflects the fact that Stavanger has been Norway's oil capital since oil drilling activities started in the North Sea in 1966.
Every May, Stavanger is host to MaiJazz, the Stavanger International Jazz Festival. Stavanger was the host port of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race in 1997 and 2004.
Chapi