Regional Pilgrim Center Avaldsnes

The shipping lane north of Stavanger goes through the Karmsund, with the island of Karmøy on the port side and Haugesund on the starboard side. Avaldsnes, Karmøy is located in the middle of Karmsund , in the narrowest part of the shipping lane. Karmsundet – Nordvegen – used to be the main route to Avaldsnes. It was also this shipping lane – Nordvegen – that gave Norway its name. Avaldsnes was an important seat of power for thousands of years. The primary aim was the control and taxation of traffic through Karmsundet

This was likely a king’s estate during the reign of Harald Hårfagre, which means that Avaldsnes was Norway's oldest royal residence and seat of power. St. Olav’s Church, built by King Håkon Håkonsson, still stands at Avaldsnes. It was built around 1250 and completed in 1320.

Just north of St. Olavs Church is Salhus Farm by Salhusstraumen - a former pilgrim hostel. One of the local pilgrim trails to Karmsundet is still known today. This trail came from the east and involved boat transport across Karmsundet. Apparently, the entrance to the church for pilgrims was through a door in the north wall, which is now bricked up. This was known as the “seafarers’ door”, perhaps because pilgrims arrived by sea.

The regional pilgrim center is located in the same place as St. Olav’s Church at Avaldness and the Nordvegen History Centre.

The Pilgrim Center wishes to coordinate and develop key places along the Kystpilgrimsleia in cooperation with the county administration, municipalities, Church of Norway, museums and other stakeholders. It is also an important source of support in connection with local and regional sustainable tourism and national pilgrimage efforts in the following five key locations:

• Egersund

• Obrestad Lighthouse /Hå gamle prestegard (Old Vicarage)

• Stavanger Cathedral

• Utstein Monastery and Utstein Pilgrim Farm

• Avaldsnes and St. Olav’s Church at Avaldsnes and Nordvegen History Centre