Visiting Sverd i Fjell (Swords in Rock) in Stavanger
One of the most popular images of Stavanger is this iconic three Vikings swords in a rock by a fjord. You’ll see it everywhere; postcards, magnets, brochures, and so on. It’s called Sverd i fjell in Norwegian, which translates to ‘Swords in the Rock’ in English. Moreover, the monument commemorates a famous battle that took place in Stavanger. It’s a must see! I got a chance to see sverd i fjell in September 2020. I’ve put together a practical guide for visiting this monument.
In this article...
Where is Sverd i Fjell?
Sverd i fjell is on a bay at the end of the Hafrsfjord. The Hafrsfjord is 9km (5.6 miles) long and separates the Stavanger and Sola municipalities. The name comes from an old Norse word, with ‘hafr’ meaning ‘male goat’ and ‘fjord’ meaning, well, fjord. It’s thought that ‘harf’ is the name of a skerry at the entrance to the fjord.
Moreover, it’s believed that people have lived along this fjord for thousands of years. One of the discoveries in the area is a petroglyph dating to the Bronze Age. Most importantly, the whole area is rich in ancient monuments.
The bay area is Møllebukta. The name refers to a mill (mølle) as this area is historically where a corn mill was located. Moreover, the park is from the 18th century, and the 100m (330ft) beach is a popular swimming spot in the summer months.
The position and distance from Stavanger is outlined in the ‘how to get there’ section below.
What does the monument represent?
Sverd i Fjell represents a famous battle in the Viking Age called the Battle of Hafrsfjord. The battle took place around the year 872. Stavanger is one of the most important Viking locations, only further highlighted by the fact that a famous battle took place here. You can read more about that on my ‘History of Stavanger’ page (click here).
In this battle, King Harald Fairhair unified Norway under one kingdom. Before this, several petty kings ruled Norway. These chieftains (that went up against Harald) came from Hordaland, Rogaland, Agder and Telemark, all counties in South-Western Norway. Moreover, the chieftains had support from the Danes and the British Isles. After Harald Fairhair’s win, rather than submit and pay tribute to Harald, many nobles left with their kin and possessions. They settled in the Western Isles and the newly discovered Iceland. Here, these settlers took part in shaping the new Iceland.
Fun fact:
The reason Harald Fairhair wished to unify Norway is because he was in love. He wanted to marry Gyda Eiriksdatter, who was a king’s daughter, but she did not accept. Gyda thought he wasn’t powerful enough. However, if he managed to unify Norway, she would marry him. Harald Fairhair agreed and vowed to not cut his hair until he unified Norway. By the end, he was looking very unkept with his long, knotted hair, but he succeeded in unifying Norway and getting the girl. When he finally cut his hair, he looked much cleaner, hence his name.
This battle is described in the Norse Sagas. The book is the Heimskringla by Snorre Sturlason. You can read a poem about the battle by clicking here.
The sculpture
The sculpture is three swords. Each one is 10m (33ft) tall and planted into the rock of a small hill. The largest sword represents the victorious King Harald Fairhair, while the two smaller swords represent the defeated petty kings. The monument is also to represent peace, since the swords are planted into solid rock and cannot be moved.
KNM Harald Hårfagre
Next to the monument, hidden in the trees, is a barracks. This is KNM Harald Hårfagre. It is a basic training establishment for the Royal Norwegian Navy. In Norway military service is compulsory for 12 months, and most are sent to this camp to do their basic training. This is where my husband went!
Practical Information
Where is the monument?
Sverd if Fjell is located 5.3km (3.3 miles) from Stavanger Cathedral. It’s in a suburb, so there are private residences all around.
Information boards
You will find an information board outside the monument outlining the importance of Hafrsfjord and the meaning behind the monument. The information is in Norwegian with an English summary at the bottom.
How to get here
The best way to get there is by car. If you’re renting a car, it’s a 10-15 minute drive from the city centre. There is a carpark with free parking. Just note that in the summer months this monument is very popular with tourists, and there may be many tour buses there.
If you are doing a tour with a cruise ship or group, and you have a bus, there is a chance they will stop here for photos. The hop on hop off bus does not stop at Sverd i Fjell (which is strange, in my opinion).
For example, Viking Cruises has a ‘Panoramic Stavanger’ shore excursion that stops there. Princess Cruises also does a drive through Stavanger and they feature Sverd i fjell.
It is possible to walk there – it will take a little over an hour – but it’s on main roads and is not a scenic walk at all.
The next best option is public transport. The best bus option is bus 16 from Byparken (stop: Stavanger hpl. 20) towards Madlasandnes. The ride is 9 mins (14 stops). You get off at Madlaleiren and have to walk 500m (0.3 miles) to get to the monument. The buses are operated by Kolumbus, and you can read info about tickets here (in English).
Important information to note
There are public restrooms, but they are in the park and not close to the monument. When we visited in September 2020 in the morning (around 8:30am), they were closed.
In the summer months there are food trucks selling icecream and snacks.
No souvenir shop.
The carpark is free, as is visiting the monument.
All signs point to the monument are in Norwegian. Learn ‘Sverd i Fjell’ – that’s how you’ll find it!
You have to walk on rock to get there. It’s uneven and can be slippery in west weather. There is no marked footpath to the monument.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed visiting this monument. While it’s one of those ‘not as big in real life’ monuments, it was fun getting to photograph it. The beach and park area is also beautiful.
Have you visited Sverd i Fjell? Let me know in the comments!
