Avaldsnes - the oldest royal seat in Norway - has been selected as the site for Rogaland County's celebration of the millennium. Harald the Fair-haired chose Avaldsnes for his main royal estate in about 870 and the site was the seat of kings until about 1450. Today St. Olav's Church, which was built by Håkon Håkonson in 1250, is the most important monument to this great period in Norwegian history. The historical landscape of Avaldsnes brings to life the stories of the first kings after unification, and the legendary characters from myths and ancient lays. The sovereigns that ruled the old "North Road" left behind impressive relics; looming burial mounds, remarkable stone monuments and splendid archaelogical finds. In the woods below the medieval church, lies a reconstructed Viking farm that is open to visitors.
A historical centre covering the Viking period was opened in 2005.
Guiding in the church at 13:30 and 14:30 hour, the guiding will take about 10 - 15 min.