Sverd i fjell, Bronze monument in Hafrsfjord, Norway
Sverd i fjell is a monument made of bronze and granite in Hafrsfjord near Stavanger, Norway. The sculpture consists of three swords firmly anchored in solid rock, with the central blade larger than the two flanking ones and all facing the water.
King Harald Fairhair unified Norwegian territories in 872 after a decisive battle at this location. The sculpture was created by Norwegian artist Fritz Røed in 1983 to mark the 1100th anniversary of that unification.
Visitors today see how the largest blade stands in the center while two smaller ones flank it, reflecting the power structure after unification. The arrangement shows the relationship between the victorious king and the defeated regions that joined his realm.
The site is freely accessible and located directly on the coastal road in Møllebukta, allowing visitors to reach the sculptures straight from the parking area. The ground is uneven and made of natural rock formations, which makes movement difficult for wheelchair users.
The swords are engineered so they can never be removed from the rock, symbolizing the permanent end of conflicts. Artist Fritz Røed drew inspiration from traditional Viking swords and used authentic proportions and decorations from the 9th century period.
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