FIELD
Stiklastadir
At Stiklastadir Medieval Farm you can see, hear, taste and smell the past. Engaging stories from the time of Olav Haraldsson, when honor, power and the right of the strongest were natural parts of everyday life. But also the story of a changing society, which abandons old customs and gods and enters the Christian community.
We have built the medieval farm Stiklastadir from scratch here in Stiklestad. The yard consists of several houses and buildings that represents building practices, craft traditions, interiors and decor from a period of about 300 years. Fra 900th century longhouse, viking chieftain's hall, for The 1200th-century two-story sleeping and guest house, the guest loft, medieval stately home.
For over 20 years, our archaeologists and craftsmen have built reconstructions that provide the authentic framework for our stories about Olav's time. The transitional period between the pre-Christian chieftain society and the Christian Middle Ages under one God and one king. First, we built the towering longhouse on top of the hill, a post-built house with the characteristic animal-style ornamentation of the Viking Age. This is the Chieftain's Hall, where he gathers his people; warriors, farmers and allied chieftains. Here, people still drink and toast to the old gods. Gifts are given for good alliances. Silver, textiles and exclusive goods from distant lands are exchanged for loyalty, support and good deals.
On the hillside below the longhouse we move into the Middle Ages. Timbered houses from a new era with a new God show how far-reaching changes occurred in the centuries around Olav's time. Here is the Gjesteloftet, the 1200th-century longhouse, and Stuggu, the timbered residential house with building practices and ornamentation from the 1000th century. A building that could have stood here in Olav's time, in the transition between the old and new eras.
The medieval farm Stiklastadir is our arena for the story of the transition from the Norse, chieftain-based, pre-Christian society to the medieval society based on Christian faith, customs and morality and to the emerging medieval state based on an increasingly strong kingdom.
At Stiklastadir you will get food based on historical sources and you can participate in activities for children and adults. Meet the craftsmen who carpentry the buildings, tan the leather or extract iron from bog ore. In the summer you will also find plants and animals, herbs and other plants in the yard. Lots to see, do and experience for young and old.
Join us on a journey back to the Middle Ages!
The Longhouse
Reconstructed longhouse from the last part of the Viking Age, before Norway became Christian after the battle in 1030.
