Three bronze swords, each 10 metres tall, planted into the rock of a small hill next to Hafrsfjord. The monument marks the site of the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872, where Harald Fairhair defeated the last of the petty kings and united Norway under one crown.
The largest sword represents the victorious Harald. The two smaller swords represent the defeated kings. The swords are planted into solid rock and cannot be removed; sculptor Fritz Røed from Bryne intended this as a symbol of peace. The monument was unveiled by King Olav V in 1983.
The connection to Haugesund is direct: Harald Fairhair won the battle here at Hafrsfjord, but he ruled from Avaldsnes on Karmøy, 80 km north. His alleged burial site at Haraldshaugen in Haugesund is where the national monument stands. If you are following this itinerary from Haugesund, you have now seen both ends of the story.
The largest sword represents the victorious Harald. The two smaller swords represent the defeated kings. The swords are planted into solid rock and cannot be removed; sculptor Fritz Røed from Bryne intended this as a symbol of peace. The monument was unveiled by King Olav V in 1983.
The connection to Haugesund is direct: Harald Fairhair won the battle here at Hafrsfjord, but he ruled from Avaldsnes on Karmøy, 80 km north. His alleged burial site at Haraldshaugen in Haugesund is where the national monument stands. If you are following this itinerary from Haugesund, you have now seen both ends of the story.