The Gulating

A thousand years ago - before the Storting, Courts and Courts of Appeal - we had tings. The tings were political assemblies with legislative, judicial and executive power . The tings are the origin of our laws.

Website

https://gulatinget.no/

Address

Eivindvikvegen 708, 5966 Eivindvik

Email

anne.hopland@gulen.kommune.no

Phone

+47 975 24 098

The Gulating was one of the oldest and largest assemblies in the Nordic countries from 900 to 1300 AD. The legislative area covered the entire coast from Agder to Sunnmøre, as well as Hallingdal, Setesdal and Valdres. The Gulating Act is the oldest preserved collection of laws in the Nordic countries.

We do not know exactly where the Gulatinget was located, but there is much evidence that the Thing was first held in Eivindvik, before it was moved to Flolid (Guløy) 4 km east of Eivindvik. In Eivindvik there are still two stone crosses from the early 11th century. According to saga tradition, these are said to have been erected by Olav Haraldson, later Olav the Holy. The crosses may have been erected to consecrate the Thing, or for outdoor services before the church was built. One cross is Celtic, and now stands outside Eivindvik church. The other is Anglo-Saxon, and stands on Krossteigen above the town hall. Here there is also an Olav spring with fresh water. Both crosses were hewn in Hyllestad.

At Flolid Eivindvik you will find the Millennium City with Bård Breivik's majestic art installation "Thingveggen" carved in stone. The park here is open year-round. A gate building in the park is furnished as a guild hall from the Viking era. The building is open for information during the summer season, and otherwise for groups by appointment. Here you will also find a mailbox where you can get your pilgrim passport stamped. Remember to write your name in the guest book.

In Eivindvik, the two stone crosses are well worth a visit, and you can follow a nice cultural trail near the center. In the castle hall below the church you will find a small information center, and here you can also stamp your pilgrim's pass. There is a pilgrim's hostel at Eivindvik wharf in the middle of Eivindvik center, with a guest harbor and convenience store nearby.

You can get to Eivindvik by express boat to Sollibotn. From here you can follow a nice 2.5 km hiking trail that is signposted with the pilgrim's trail. There is also a bus that corresponds with the express boat. The ferry pier in Rutledal is 20 km away, and here you can take the ferry further north to Rysjedalsvika.

Read more about Gulatinget at: www.gulatinget.no