King Øystein’s Harbour
0
Now we’re passing one of the most intriguing places along this journey, King Øystein’s Harbour. Believed to have been built in the early 1100s, this is considered one of Norway’s oldest harbours constructed for military purposes. It offered shelter and a place for royal ships to gather strength before setting out on Viking expeditions. According to Snorre’s royal sagas, it was King Øystein Magnusson who commissioned the harbour. Recent studies suggest that parts of the structure may date as far back as the 900s. That means this site was likely an important gathering point for Viking fleets heading out toward Europe, whether to trade, settle, plunder, or explore new lands. The sagas portray King Øystein as blue-eyed, cheerful, wise, and eloquent , a charismatic leader with both authority and compassion. It fits well with this location: a safe harbour in troubled waters, echoing with stories of sails, shields, and sea-bound destiny.