Stavanger history

The history of Stavanger is inextricably linked to the history of Norway. Although traces of human settlement in this region can be traced back to the end of the Ice Age, the official date of Stavanger's founding is considered to be 1125. This year marked the beginning of the construction of the famous Stavanger Cathedral and the establishment of a bishopric. It was the acquisition of this status as a religious centre that provided the impetus for the transformation of a small settlement into a fully-fledged city and the administrative hub of the region.

Its geographical location on the shores of the North Sea has always played a key role in Stavanger's development. In the Middle Ages, the city became an important trading point on the southwest coast. The city's economy has been closely tied to the sea for centuries: first through the fishing and export of herring, then through shipping and the canning industry, which flourished in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The city's name, derived from the Old Norse words "stafr" (staff) and "angr" (fjord), also reflects its location by the fjord. The early economy was entirely dependent on the sea, making the city one of the key suppliers of fish.

Although its religious role temporarily weakened after the Reformation in 1536, the city received a powerful new impulse for development in the 20th century. In 1969, oil was discovered in the North Sea, transforming Stavanger into the "Oil Capital" of Norway. Despite modern development, the city carefully preserves its past. Cultural life was originally centred around the cathedral, which remains one of the best-preserved medieval cathedrals in Norway today. The architectural appearance of the old town, Gamle Stavanger, with its white wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, still preserves the memory of times when the city lived by the sea and trade.

Timeline of Key Events

• c. 872 — The Battle of Hafrsfjord, near modern-day Stavanger, leads to the unification of Norway under King Harald Fairhair.
• 1125 — Considered the official year of the city's founding; construction of Stavanger Cathedral begins, and the city becomes the seat of a bishopric.
• 1272 — After a fire destroys a significant part of the city and the cathedral, reconstruction begins, during which Gothic elements are added to the Romanesque style.
• 1536 — During the Reformation, Norway converts to Lutheranism, and Stavanger loses its status as a Catholic episcopal centre, leading to a temporary decline.
• 17th-18th Centuries — The city gradually restores its importance through the development of shipping and trade, especially the export of herring.
• Early 19th Century — Stavanger becomes the centre of Norway's canning industry, specialising in the production of smoked sprats, which ensures an economic boom.
• 9 April 1940 — German troops invade Norway, and Stavanger, due to its strategic airport, becomes one of the first occupied cities.
• 1969 — Oil is discovered on the North Sea shelf in the Ekofisk field, which radically changes the economy of the city and the entire country.
• Mid-1970s — Stavanger officially becomes the "Oil Capital" of Norway, causing rapid population growth and the development of urban infrastructure.
• 1999 — The Norwegian Petroleum Museum opens, becoming one of the symbols of the new era in the city's history.
• 2008 — Stavanger, together with Liverpool, receives the status of European Capital of Culture, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and modern development.
• 2020 — Administrative expansion takes place: Stavanger municipality merges with the neighbouring municipalities of Rennesøy and Finnøy.

Key Stages of City Development

• From Religion to the Sea: The founding of Stavanger in the 12th century was linked to the construction of the cathedral, which defined its status as an important religious centre for many years. However, after the Reformation, the city found a new vocation in the sea. The development of shipping and fishing, especially herring exports, turned it into a thriving port city. It was during this era that the appearance of Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger) was formed, with its charming white houses that were originally the homes of sailors, craftsmen, and merchants.

• The "Golden Age" of Canning: From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, the city experienced a true industrial boom, becoming the "canning capital" of Norway. The production of smoked sprats in oil did not just ensure economic growth—it changed the social structure of the city, creating thousands of jobs and attracting people from surrounding regions. This heritage is carefully preserved today in the Norwegian Canning Museum, which tells the story of how a humble fish brought the city global fame.

• The Oil Transformation: The discovery of oil in the North Sea in 1969 was the most radical turning point in the modern history of Stavanger. The city rapidly transformed from an industrial centre into the international "Oil Capital" of Norway. This status attracted leading global companies, thousands of foreign specialists, and huge investments. The result was rapid infrastructure growth, the emergence of modern districts, and the transformation of Stavanger into one of the most cosmopolitan and affluent cities in the country.

• Cultural Renaissance: Being named the European Capital of Culture in 2008 was an opportunity for Stavanger to declare itself not only as an economic hub but also as a vibrant cultural centre. This event gave a powerful impulse to the development of art, music, and festival life. It showed that the city successfully combines its industrial heritage with a dynamic and modern creative environment, offering residents and guests a rich selection of cultural events.

The architectural appearance of Stavanger is a visual history of the city, captured in stone, wood, and glass. Each era has left its mark, creating a unique combination of styles, from the austere Middle Ages to the bold modernism of the "Oil Era".

The Middle Ages: Romanesque and Gothic Styles

The dominant feature of the city's medieval architecture is Stavanger Cathedral (Stavanger domkirke). Its construction, begun around 1125, was carried out in a strict Anglo-Norman Romanesque style, which is noticeable in the massive columns and simple round arches. However, after a devastating fire in 1272, the cathedral was restored with the addition of Gothic elements. This was most clearly manifested in its eastern part, which acquired the more elegant and upward-reaching forms characteristic of the Gothic style. Thus, the city's main temple became a unique monument combining features of two great architectural eras.

17th–19th Centuries: The Era of Wooden Architecture

This period gave the city its most recognisable feature—the district of Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger). It consists of more than 250 white wooden houses built in the 18th and early 19th centuries. This is not the monumental architecture of the nobility, but the practical and cosy dwellings of sailors, craftsmen, and merchants. The style of these buildings can be described as vernacular, with elements of classicism in the details. The snow-white facades, tiled roofs, and cobbled streets create a unique atmosphere of the port city of that time. The preservation of this district is credited to the city architect Einar Hedén, who opposed plans to demolish the old buildings in the mid-20th century.

Industrial Flourishing and Early 20th Century

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, during the heyday of the canning industry, buildings in the Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) style appeared in the city. These structures were distinguished by more exquisite decor, flowing lines, and the use of new materials. Although they are not as numerous as in other Norwegian cities like Ålesund, these buildings added elegance to the cityscape and reflected the growing prosperity of Stavanger. They sit harmoniously alongside the old wooden developments, creating a multi-layered architectural landscape.

Modern Architecture: The "Oil Era"

Since 1969, when Stavanger became the "Oil Capital" of Norway, a new stage of urban planning began. Modern office and public buildings made of glass and concrete appeared in the city, symbolising technological breakthrough and international status. Iconic objects of this period include:

• Norwegian Petroleum Museum (Norsk Oljemuseum) — a striking example of postmodernism, whose architecture, as conceived by the authors, resembles coastal rocks and oil platforms.
• Stavanger Concert Hall (Stavanger Konserthus) — a modern building with a glass facade that has become a new cultural centre.
• SR-Bank Financial Centre — one of the largest timber office centres in Europe, featuring a unique cantilevered wooden staircase inside.

Modern Stavanger demonstrates a bold combination of historical heritage and futuristic architectural solutions, reflecting its journey from a medieval centre to a dynamic metropolis.

Notable Figures Associated with Stavanger

Stavanger, an important cultural and economic centre of Norway, has given the world many talented people who have left their mark on literature, art, politics, and music. Here are some of the most iconic figures whose lives and work were connected with this city.

• Alexander Kielland (1849–1906) — one of the "Four Greats" of 19th-century Norwegian writers, alongside Ibsen, Bjørnson, and Lie. Born in Stavanger into a wealthy family, the urban environment often became the setting for his realistic novels and short stories. In his works, he criticised the hypocrisy of bourgeois society, education problems, and the condition of workers.
• Christian Lous Lange (1869–1938) — a distinguished historian, political scientist, and pacifist born in Stavanger. For his many years of work strengthening international cooperation, particularly as Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1921.
• Peder Severin Krøyer (1851–1909) — one of the most famous and beloved Scandinavian artists, born in Stavanger. Although he spent most of his life in Denmark, becoming a central figure of the Skagen Painters colony, his origins link him to Norway. Krøyer became famous for his bright, realistic canvases depicting scenes from the lives of fishermen and summer holidays on the coast.
• Kitty Lange Kielland (1843–1914) — the elder sister of Alexander Kielland and one of the first prominent female artists in Norway. She was a pioneer of landscape painting, known for her realistic and atmospheric depictions of the peat bogs of the Jæren region, located south of Stavanger. Her works played an important role in the development of Norwegian art.
• Sigbjørn Obstfelder (1866–1900) — a poet and writer considered one of the first modernists in Norwegian literature. Born in Stavanger, he expressed feelings of alienation, longing, and anxiety in his works, characteristic of a person at the turn of the century. His poetry, particularly the famous poem "Jeg ser" ("I Look"), had a huge influence on subsequent generations of Scandinavian authors.
• Fartein Valen (1887–1952) — a modernist composer born in Stavanger. He developed his own atonal, polyphonic style, independent of the Second Viennese School. Although his music was misunderstood by the general public for a long time, today Valen is recognised as one of the most significant Norwegian composers of the 20th century. A concert hall in Stavanger bears his name.
• Morten Abel (born 1962) — one of the most successful and influential musicians in modern Norway. Although not born in Stavanger, his career is inextricably linked to this city, where he became famous first as the lead singer of the band Mods, and then The September When, before launching a successful solo career.