Haraldshaugen, National monument in Haugesund, Norway
Haraldshaugen is a national monument in Haugesund featuring a 17-meter granite obelisk with 29 surrounding stones representing historic Norwegian regions. The site creates a clearly defined space with the central monument as its focal point.
The monument was erected in 1872 to mark 1000 years since the Battle of Hafrsfjord, the event that marked Norwegian unification under King Harald Fairhair. This battle is seen as the turning point in the formation of the Norwegian state.
The bronze panels at the base show scenes from King Harald's life and tell of important moments in Norwegian history. They give insight into why this figure matters so much to the nation's sense of itself.
The monument is located near the Karmsundet strait in northern Haugesund and is accessible throughout the year. The site is easy to reach and offers an open space to explore without special requirements.
The 29 stones surrounding the obelisk were deliberately arranged to reflect Norway's historic regions at the time the monument was built. This arrangement forms a subtle geographical representation on the grounds.
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