On the small islet of Klungholmen outside Jørpeland, an eight-metre stainless steel obelisk rises 14 metres above sea level, surrounded by 12 standing stones arranged in a circle eight metres across. Solspeilet, the Sun Mirror, is the work of local artist Stian Heimlund Skjæveland, who spent three years building it. Completed in September 2016, the sculpture functions as a sundial while the polished steel surface catches and reflects sunlight across the water. The obelisk is richly decorated with historical symbols, runes, and ornaments drawn from the Oseberg Viking ship, using Elder Futhark runic script. It has earned the nickname the Norwegian Stonehenge.
The sculpture sits on the archipelago between Jørpelandsholmen and Fjellsholmen, right along the National Scenic Route Ryfylke. This is the road tourists take on the way to Preikestolen, giving the artwork high visibility. Jørpelandsholmen itself, connected to the mainland by a pedestrian bridge opened in 2017, has layered history: Stone Age settlement traces, a burial field, and later use as a crofter's farm. In 1912, steel worker Wilhelm Sauer bought the island and built homes there; he died in 1933 at just 42. The island is now a popular park whose visitor counts have rivalled those of Preikestolen.
The best view of Solspeilet is from the west side of Jørpelandsholmen, reached by walking across the pedestrian bridge and following the universally designed trail around the island. To stand next to the sculpture itself requires arriving by boat or kayak; Klungholmen has a visitors' pier. The installation is illuminated at night, creating a dramatic effect visible from shore.
The sculpture sits on the archipelago between Jørpelandsholmen and Fjellsholmen, right along the National Scenic Route Ryfylke. This is the road tourists take on the way to Preikestolen, giving the artwork high visibility. Jørpelandsholmen itself, connected to the mainland by a pedestrian bridge opened in 2017, has layered history: Stone Age settlement traces, a burial field, and later use as a crofter's farm. In 1912, steel worker Wilhelm Sauer bought the island and built homes there; he died in 1933 at just 42. The island is now a popular park whose visitor counts have rivalled those of Preikestolen.
The best view of Solspeilet is from the west side of Jørpelandsholmen, reached by walking across the pedestrian bridge and following the universally designed trail around the island. To stand next to the sculpture itself requires arriving by boat or kayak; Klungholmen has a visitors' pier. The installation is illuminated at night, creating a dramatic effect visible from shore.
