Utstein Abbey

Utstein Abbey is a stone monastery on the southern shore of Klosterøy island, featuring medieval architecture with preserved structures from its religious era. The site sits in quiet farmland with fields and pastures surrounding the buildings.

The monastery was founded between 1263 and 1280 under King Magnus VI and developed into an important spiritual center in the region. In 1537 it was dissolved during the Reformation and later served as a farm.

The monastery served as a religious center that shaped life in the surrounding region for centuries. The monks acted as teachers and advisors to the local community.

The abbey is reachable by car from Stavanger, with a short ferry or causeway connecting to the island where it stands. The best time to visit is during warmer months when guided tours run regularly.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the abbey's buildings hosted international medical conferences where emergency doctors gathered. These meetings helped standardize guidelines for reporting medical emergencies across the world.