Helgøya

The name Helgøya indicates worship and religious ceremonies in a particular area. The name "the holy island" was continued to be today's name on the island, which for long periods was the center of worship in pre-Christian time. Hovinsholmen on the south side of the island is named after a meadow called Hovin, where there may have been a heathen hof. Helgøya has had settlement from approx. 2000 BC There are several archaeological remains on the island showing a strategic importance until the Middle Ages. A large number of ancient monuments indicate the settlement of people with high burden in the period until the end of the Viking era. The earliest known writing found on Helgøya dates back to the 800 AC.