Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This beautiful church is an impressive but understated medieval stone cathedral dating
from approximately 1125; it was extensively renovated following a fire in 1272 and con-
tains traces of Gothic, baroque, Romanesque and Anglo Norman influences. Despite res-
toration in the 1860s and 1940, and the stripping of some features during the Reformation,
the cathedral is, by some accounts, Norway's oldest medieval cathedral still in its original
form.
Its interior, with wonderful stone columns, tapestries, elaborate baroque pulpit and
stained-glass window depicting the main events of the Christian calendar, is moving.
Stavanger Museum
MUSEUM
51 84 27 00;
www.museumstavanger.no
;
11am-4pm daily mid-
May-Aug, Tue-Sun rest of year)
The large 11-part museum, with its sites scattered around Stavanger, could easily fill a
sightseeing day or more. Entrance to all parts is by one day ticket (adult/child Nkr70/40),
or there is a four-day MUSTpass (adult/family Nkr100/250). Museums include the
Nor-
wegian Printing Museum
, the
Norwegian School Museum
and the Medical Museum.
Canning Museum
MUSEUM
Don't miss this museum housed in an old cannery as it's one of Stavanger's most appeal-
ing. Before oil, there were sardines, and Stavanger was once home to more than half of
Norway's canning factories. By 1922 the city's canneries provided 50% of the town's em-
ployment. Guides are on hand to answer your questions or crank up some of the old ma-
chines.
You'll get the lowdown on canning brisling and fish balls: the exhibits take you through
the whole 12-stage process from salting through to threading, smoking, decapitating and
packing. On the first Sunday of every month (and Tuesday and Thursday from mid-June to
mid-August), the fires are lit and you can sample smoked sardines straight from the ovens.
An adjoining building houses a cafe and touchingly restored workers cottages furnished in
1920s (downstairs) and 1960s (upstairs) styles.
Stavanger Maritime Museum
MUSEUM
