Haraldshaugen – @Misje

– Norway’s National Monument

The national monument Haraldshaugen, locally also known as Harald’s Monument, is a monument in memory of Harald Fairhair’s unification of Norway in 872. The monument was unveiled in 1872 in connection with the millennium anniversary of the Battle of Hafrsfjord, where Norway, according to the saga, was united into one kingdom. The monument stands at Gard just north of the town center in Haugesund at the site where Harald Fairhair is said to have been buried. The monument was designed by architect Christian Christie as a large burial mound surrounded by a granite wall with 29 standing stones, one from each of the old Norwegian counties. On top of the mound stands a 17-meter-high granite obelisk, with four bronze panels around the base. Each of the panels depicts important scenes from the life and deeds of Harald Fairhair. Haraldshaugen has been one of Haugesund’s foremost treasures since its unveiling. In connection with the turn of the millennium, Haraldshaugen was chosen as Haugesund’s millennium site.

Read more about Haraldshaugen (Visithaugesund)

Haraldshaugen is a half hour walk (2.2km) from the hotel. Click on the map for a larger version and directions to the Monument.