Stavanger is celebrating its 900th anniversary, and the Archaeological Museum is offering an exciting medieval theme when the summer season opens on June 21. Are you ready to be knighted?
- Summer Season at the Archaeological Museum: June 21 – August 31
The theme this summer is the Middle Ages, and Stavanger needs brave knights to protect our city! Come and test your knightly skills through various activities at the museum this summer.
Be Knighted
Being a knight is thrilling and surrounded by mythical stories. In medieval literature, the knight's status was associated with many idealistic and romantic notions. Among these was the expectation that a knight would uphold and defend moral values, such as protecting those weaker than themselves and being willing to sacrifice for others. Do you have what it takes to become a knight? We challenge you on strength, courage, moral wisdom, and honor.
The act of being knighted originates from the Middle Ages, where the appointment of a knight involved a physical strike. When a squire was made a knight, he received a blow to the shoulder with a sword. This was called the "accolade." In the end, you will be knighted – but what does that really mean?
Build the City!
In the interactive exhibit "Anno 1125 – Build the City," you can help build the medieval city of Stavanger. You get to make small houses and place them on a large map. This way, you take part in reconstructing medieval Stavanger around a model of the Cathedral. Building materials are provided in the exhibit.
Who Lived in Our City?
We only know the names of a few people who lived in Stavanger during the Middle Ages. Now, you get to decide who lived here – create mini-people for your paper houses and document the inhabitants! Then, register yourself in our population record with your first name, a medieval surname, and the farm number of your house. This is how a new medieval city with residents will grow in the exhibit "Anno 1125 – Build the City!"
What will your medieval Stavanger resident be called?
Did You Know?
- n the 14th century, there were around 30,000 people in Rogaland. But after the Black Death in the 1350s, the population declined. By around 1520, there were no more than 10,000 people in the county.
Bestiary
Bestiaries were very popular in the Middle Ages. These were illuminated books, with animals and letters painted as miniature illustrations. The images and stories were about various types of animals – wild, domestic, and exotic. There were also mythical creatures, like dragons and unicorns.
- In "Anno 1125 – Build the City," you can create your own medieval animal and add it to the city’s shared bestiary! What’s your favorite animal?
Guided Tours
Join us for guided tours of the magnificent anniversary exhibition "Secrets of the Cathedral" every day:
- 12:00 PM
- 13:00 PM (English)
- 14:00 PM
