Introduction
Who would have thought that the once sleepy, provincial city of Stavanger, fourth largest in Norway, would ever be named European Capital of Culture for 2008? The old Stavanger is gone forever. Today it's a bright, cosmopolitan city and one of our favorites in Norway.
What brought about this miraculous change? "Black gold" (oil, that is) from the North Sea. Packing riches and economic clout, Stavanger has become the oil capital of Norway.
The good news is that it still retains a bit of its old charm as a famous seaport set in some of the most beautiful fjord and mountain country in Norway. Since the 9th century, fresh fish and vegetables have been sold at the old marketplace. Many of its low wooden houses, some of which have been around for 9 centuries, still remain.
Stavanger has also burst out with some of the most intriguing museums in the Southwest, although it's hardly a rival of Bergen in that regard. Nothing is finer in Stavanger than its historic harbor, where you...
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Norsk Barnemuseum (Norwegian Children's Museum)
This is the greatest playpen in Norway for children ages 5 to 12. In fact, it is one of the best children's museums in all of Europe. Exhibits...
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- Museums
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Domkirke (Cathedral)
It's not up there in the celestial ranks with the cathedral of Trondheim, but this is the other great church still left from Norway in the Middle...
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Stavanger Museum
This is a five-part museum that you can visit with just one ticket. If you want to see the entire museum, expect to spend the better part of a...
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- Museums
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