Cultural Heritage

Olavskjølla

Situated along Østerdalsleden
A source of history from the pilgrimage tradition and Catholic times

"Olaskjølla", the Olavskilden in Vingelen, has a history linked to Olav the Holy.

About 50 Olav springs have been found in Norway, six of them in Hedmark. The springs are most often located by old pilgrimage routes and are strong water springs that do not dry out. Some have the same temperature all year round and never freeze.

People believed that the Olavskildene had health-giving power. The legend says that the old people in Vingelen would drink water from "Olaskjølla" when they were ill and knew they would soon die.

The spring in Vingelen was located on the land outside the farm Ousta in Vingelsgarden. Today this land is ditched and cultivated. Below Ousta, a small well has been built up and an information board has been set up about the source and about the pilgrimage routes in Nord-Østerdal.