What to See in Haugesund - Top Sights and Attractions

Historical landmark in Haugesund, Norway. Haraldshaugen is a national monument in Haugesund, Norway. The monument was erected during the millennial celebration of Norway's unification into one kingdom under the rule of King Harald Fairhair.

Haraldshaugen was unveiled on July 18, 1872 by Crown Prince Oscar (later King Oscar II of Sweden) in connection with the one thousand year anniversary of the Battle of Hafrsfjord. The monument is designed by Norwegian architect Christian Christie. Norwegian national poet, Ivar Aasen, wrote a poem entitled Haraldshaugen to commemorate the event. The monument was opposed by Norway's political left, which questioned the merits of celebrating a figure whom they viewed as a brutal, authoritarian conqueror.

Haraldshaugen is located in the northern suburbs of Haugesund. The monument consists of a large mound surrounded by a granite memorial stones with 29 smaller stones, one from each of the historic counties of Norway. At the top of the mound stands a 17m high granite main obelisk, with four bronze panels around the base. Each panel depicts important scenes from the life of King Harald I.

Haraldshaugen commemorates the Battle of Hafrsfjord which commonly dates to the year 872. The Battle of Hafrsfjord has traditionally been regarded as the point in which western Norway was for the first time unified under one monarch. Tradition holds that Haraldshaugen is the burial site of King Harald I, who died circa 933 at Avaldsnes on nearby Karmøy, south of Haugesund, but currently there is no clear archeological evidence of this.^[2]

Island in Haugesund, Norway. Hasseløy is an island in Haugesund municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. The 0.3-square-kilometre island lies north of the island Risøy, south of the peninsula Killingøy, and between Vibrandsøy to the west and the mainland to the east. It is part of the town of Haugesund, connected to the city centre by a bridge. The informal name Bakarøy is commonly used locally.

Historically, the island was the site of industries including the shipyard Hauges Jernskibsbyggeri from 1907. Since then the island is mostly residential and several apartment buildings have replaced the old boathouses. The 2014 population is 997. The offices for the western region of the Norwegian Coastal Administration are in the southwest corner of the island. The small Dokken museum with historical boats and buildings is located on the east side, near the bridge.

The island has been connected to the mainland since 1872, the current bridge was completed in 1954.^[7]

Island in Norway. Vibrandsøy or Vibrandsøya is an island in Haugesund municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. The island lies west of the densely built-up island of Hasseløy and northwest of the island of Risøy in the town of Haugesund. The island is now used as a recreational area. The island was part of the Torvastad municipality until 1965, and is the only part of the former municipality which was not incorporated into Karmøy. As such, the island is the newest part of the Haugesund municipality.

The 300-decare (74-acre) property called "Vibrandsøy" includes the smaller neighbouring islands of Gardsøya and Varøy in the north, and Trollholmen to the south-west. These islands are connected together by short bridges and fillings, but the islands have no land connection with the mainland.^[8]