Swords in Rock
Swords in Rock
4
About
At Hafrsfjord we find the monument Swords in Rock. It was here Harald Harfagre fought a battle that united Norway into one kingdom in 872 AD. The monument represents peace, unity and freedom. The Viking swords' hilts are modelled on swords found in various parts of the country. The monument was made by Friz Roed (1928-2002) and unveiled by King Olav in 1983. The monument can be reached by bus nr. 29 from the centre of Stavanger.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
1,039 reviews
Excellent
379
Very good
430
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204
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24
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2
Departure08195717533
Carpentersville, IL1 contribution
May 2023 • Couples
The swords were very cool! The photos we took were very cool. Nice park for the family. A great place to picnic or spend an afternoon.
Written 29 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorenzo S
Runcorn, UK73 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We were in town as a port of call on a cruise. You can get to the 3 Swords monument using local bus (no need to book a tour to this). Route 16 operated by ConnectBus.no to Madlasandnes (every half hour) - Can get on at Olaf Vs Gate Stop M - By Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel in centre of town ( 5 minutes walk from cruise terminal). 42 NOK (£3) each person each way. Can buy tickets for bus in ENTUR app and just scan the barcode as you get on the bus. Very slick and easy to use app. The buses have a clear electronic sign on board listing the stops and announcing what the next bus stop is. Get off at bus stop Madlaleiren (Takes 10-12 mins from the Radisson) then a 5 minute walk straight down the road to swords. You probably won’t need to spend more than 10-15 minutes here, there is nothing else to do other than have a look at the sculpture, read the signs and take some photos, if you are quick you can get the next bus back to town (they are every half hour also). The bus back into Stavanger is Route 16 from bus stop Madlaleiren. Local buses have live tracking via kolumbus.no website so you can always check where the bus is up to on the route.
Written 17 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patto
Mexico City, Mexico286 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Simple but a beautiful place with history. It’s also a great spot to get some photos traditionally Norway style. I’d love it.
Written 16 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skywalker3
East Anglia171 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Sved i fjell at Harsfjord has long been on my wish list and really emotional to finally visit it. Marking a pivotal point in Norweigian history, the battle of Harsfjord, it’s difficult to comprehend the scale of these bronze swords until you are there.
Time your visit carefully though and try to avoid the tourists trips who descend on the small site, ignore others in their quest to get the ultimate selfie without bothering to learn anything about the site, and then they move on to the next tick box.
Plan the timing right though and the majesty of this sculpture is breathtaking.
Time your visit carefully though and try to avoid the tourists trips who descend on the small site, ignore others in their quest to get the ultimate selfie without bothering to learn anything about the site, and then they move on to the next tick box.
Plan the timing right though and the majesty of this sculpture is breathtaking.
Written 12 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie D
Minneapolis, MN134 contributions
Oct 2022
This was a nice 1 hour walk from town on a day with good weather. Was an interesting site to see. But beware, there were no public restrooms!
Written 4 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chrissieb94
Dorset, UK2,012 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Interesting to learn the history behind the monument. Harold Fairhair fell in love with Gyda who refused to marry him as his kingdom was small and he wasn’t powerful enough. So he worked to gather all the small kingdoms into one kingdom of Norway. It is thought that the battle of 872 was at Hafrasfjord where the swords monument is. The giant Viking swords symbolise peace, unity and freedom and are a majestic 10 metres tall. Worth visiting and a good photo opportunity.
Written 1 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A396CR
Beldenville115 contributions
Sep 2022
Easy to walk to from parking lot. Great opportunity for pictures if not over crowded with tourists. Mostly see it, take pictures and move on.
Written 17 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allan
3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Swords were amazing. About an hours walk from the port. We came back on the bus (approx £8 pp) - Beautiful lake and some pretty parks along the route.
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcel G
4 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Nice spot to visit in early morning before the busses arrive. Historical place with a nice beach and free parking
Written 25 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick H
Goodyear, AZ429 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
This is a really neat sculpture to see. They’re on the water’s edge and make for great photos.
Just remember to read the story explaining the meaning behind these amazing bronze sculptures. It adds a lot to the experience.
Easy bus ride from downtown Stavanger.
Don’t miss this.
Just remember to read the story explaining the meaning behind these amazing bronze sculptures. It adds a lot to the experience.
Easy bus ride from downtown Stavanger.
Don’t miss this.
Written 23 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie H
Pays de la Loire, France222 contributions
suite au commentaires sur les trois épee c est possible d y allez en taxi je pense que ça sera moins cher que en excurtion merci de votre reponse et avez vous fait le gros rocher a maloy
je vous remercie
ANNIE
Filip Sverige
1 contribution
Bonjour, le site est-il facilement accessible depuis le centre-ville de Stavanger ? Bus ?...
63certo-me
Londres, Reino Unido661 contributions
Avec le bus 16, depuis la place du lac dans le centre de Stavanger, arrêtez-vous juste devant une académie militaire, de là aux épées, à environ 10 minutes à pied.
Boy J
Weddingstedt, Germany
Wir waren gerade in Stavanger und haben uns die Sehenswürdigkeit angesehen. Wenn man gerade vor Ort ist, sollte man es sich ansehen. Wir hatten gerade das Pech, dass zwei Kreuzfahrtliner in Stavanger angelegt haben und das Monument permanent von den Passagieren belegt war und ordentliche Fotos nicht möglich waren
James L
Norwich, UK495 contributions
Not really a question is it? More of just a comment. A shame the site was busy with cruise passengers.
susieBirmingham
The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, UK208 contributions
Anyone know what number bus we need to take and where from? We are arriving at the end of a cruise.
James L
Norwich, UK495 contributions
Google Maps says the #16 bus is the most direct. You’ll have to walk from the cruise ship area to the Stavanger S bus station. About 15 mins later it drops you off about 400m shy of your destination which you’ll finish on foot.
There are other bus routes that get relatively close as well, but longer journeys.
susieBirmingham
The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, UK208 contributions
How far is this from the centre of Stavanger, is it walkable, easy to find?
Jakob K
Stavanger, Norway128 contributions
Approx 6 km from city centre. Easy to find!
g-cardozo
Porto Alegre, RS1,676 contributions
The parking next to the swords is charged or free?
Debbie G
England, UK185 contributions
I could be wrong but I think it’s free. Only because I saw people coming out of the cars and walking over. We were on a coach and the driver parked and waited.
There was also a little bit of an off road parking bit too. Enjoy and oh one tip take a photo on the opposite side the sun is shining for a better photo. We nearly got caught out with that that one. xx
terryteza
Tamworth, UK7 contributions
how far is it from the cruise dock.
Cruiser_D_R
Burlington, Canada344 contributions
you can take a public bus from close by.
There is a tourist office in the center, they can give you a map and show you, where the bus leaves.
Or you can take a cap, cheaper with 4 people.
The bus driver was very friendly, we did not have to pay because we did not have the correct amount !
Good luck, hope you have better weather than we had
lena085
Bournemouth, UK210 contributions
Hi I'm away again( great name!), or anyone else who knows. How did you get to this site? What time would be advisable to give from and back to aStavanger. Thanks in advance .
Geoff M
Portugal153 contributions
You can get to this easily by bus from Stavanger centre I think its a number 6 or 7 bus. It takes less than 10 mins
SWORDS IN ROCK (Stavanger) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Swords in Rock
- We recommend booking Swords in Rock tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Swords in Rock tours on Tripadvisor
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- Restaurants near Swords in Rock:
- (0.13 km) Is Paradis Møllebukta
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- (0.82 km) Pizzaco
- (4.31 km) Eg & Du