Haraldshaugen is Norway's national monument to the unification of the country. It stands on a burial mound in the northern part of Haugesund, said to be the resting place of King Harald Hårfagre, Harald Fairhair, who united Norway's many petty kingdoms into one after the Battle of Hafrsfjord around 872.
The monument was unveiled on 18 July 1872 by Crown Prince Oscar, later King Oscar II, to mark the thousand-year anniversary of the unification. It was designed by architect Christian Christie. A 17-metre granite obelisk stands at the centre, with four bronze panels depicting scenes from Harald's life. Around it stand 29 smaller stones, one from each of Norway's historic counties.
The site is freely accessible and there is nothing to pay. It is a pleasant spot but not a major attraction in itself. The area around the monument is a park with benches and views over Karmsundet. From here, a coastal path leads north to The Rising Tide sculpture and Kvalsvik battery, which makes for a nice combined walk of about two kilometres.
The monument was unveiled on 18 July 1872 by Crown Prince Oscar, later King Oscar II, to mark the thousand-year anniversary of the unification. It was designed by architect Christian Christie. A 17-metre granite obelisk stands at the centre, with four bronze panels depicting scenes from Harald's life. Around it stand 29 smaller stones, one from each of Norway's historic counties.
The site is freely accessible and there is nothing to pay. It is a pleasant spot but not a major attraction in itself. The area around the monument is a park with benches and views over Karmsundet. From here, a coastal path leads north to The Rising Tide sculpture and Kvalsvik battery, which makes for a nice combined walk of about two kilometres.