Scandinavian Tour 2009: Day 7

Yesterday (Sat.) our host, Arnt Ove, took us out sightseeing around Karmoy (that's actually spelled with the "O" that has a slash through it). We first visited a nearby church that was built around the year 1250. During the World War II people could go to the church to hear radio broadcasts and news. The building still shows pocked marked signs of German airplane bullets in it's ancient stone walls. Below the church is a Viking museum that houses artifacts discovered there and elsewhere around the island. Further on down and through a little forest lies a Viking village that was recreated to look just like it might have during the time of the Vikings.

St. Olav's Church


Bullets marks from Nazi airplanes


This is called the "Virgin Mary's Needle." It's a giant, obelisk-shaped stone that was put there when the church was built. The stone leans toward the church and it is said that when it finally touches the wall that will be the day of Armageddon. There are only a few inches to go.


Viking village

Just past the village and at the water's edge, you can see a tiny strip of land almost like a sand bar, out in the middle of an inlet. It is said that a scorcerer and his men were coming to the area to try and defeat the king, Olav. The sorcerer wanted to make such a powerful level of fog and darkness so that they would be able to catch Olav by surprise, but instead made it too dark and enveloped themselves...you can read more by clicking on the photos below:

Later Arnt Ove took us on a drive around the island eventually to a tiny community called Skudesneshavn. At first we thought he was saying, "Scooter's Nest." The community is bound by strict building codes that don't allow for progressive building. All the structures have to remain in the old-fashioned way. The drive around the island was beautiful and reminiscent of Northern California coastlines. Small farms and hugged the hillsides and quaint homes stood along the rocky cliffs.

Skudesneshavn

Arnt Ove lead us to what used to be an old copper mine. It is now a water filled pit adjacent to a pretty little park and mine museum. The mine is significant because it supplied the copper that was used to make what eventually became a fairly famous American statue....See photo below:

The gig last night was a quiet one. Everyone was at home getting their traditional Norwegian costumes ready for Constitution Day, a national Norwegian holiday, basically their Fourth of July.