The Hakastein Cultural Heritage Park at Faret in Skien is home to one of Norway’s most remarkable archaeological sites. The park preserves the remains of Norway’s oldest known church, dated to 1010 AD, as well as the country’s oldest Christian burial grounds from the 9th century.
The park is the result of archaeological excavations conducted in the early 2000s. The findings revealed that Faret has been a central and important location in Telemark dating back to the time of Christ. The cultural heritage park was established on the initiative of Historisk Forum Skien and Kjell-Henrik Semb, and is universally designed with access and signage, forming an integrated part of the "Around Hjellevannet" cultural trail.
The park utilizes locally sourced stone:
Archaeological excavations uncovered the foundations of two successive post-built churches (stolpekirker). Post-built churches represent the oldest known form of church buildings in Norway, often erected on large farms owned by people with significant social power.
A Christian cemetery was found surrounding the post-built churches.
Before the church site was established, Faret was a significant pre-Christian area.
The archaeological findings suggest that Faret was a central place with continuity dating back to the early Iron Age, revealing the outlines of a great farmstead.
The church and cemetery fell out of use between 1370 and 1425. Following this, the area became associated with Galgeholmen, which served as Skien's execution site from the late Middle Ages onwards.
The sculpture Rat Virgin is located near by Skien centre, at Bakkestranda.
MS Victoria, also known as the Canal Queen sails on lock cruises between Skien and…
Theater Ibsen works to create experiences you remember! Here, throughout the year, you…
Ibsenhuset is Skien's cultural center and offers a wide selection of concerts and shows…
Snipetorp, Skien's oldest residential quarter and residence of Henrik Ibsen's parents,…
Telemark Kunstsenter (Telemark Art Senter) is a center of competence for professional…
The Ibsen Staircase is a concrete and granite structure with a bust of Henrik Ibsen. It…
The main building, Søndre Brekke Manison at Brekkeparken, is truly magnificent and has…
Kapitelberget in Skien, church ruins from the 1100s, after the mighty Dagsætten…
On Kapitelberget you'll find the ruins of a crypt church from the Middle Ages.The church…
Brekkeparken in Skien is a lovely park with beautiful flower beds, and with lots of…
Experience Henrik Ibsen in Skien! Visit "Ibsenstua" in Brekkeparken from 2025 to 2028. A…
Skien has an exceptional geological diversity. A tour across the Skien-Gjerpendalen…
Gjerpen Church lies on the northern edge of Skien and is a beautiful romanesque stone…
Explore the Iron Age Farm at Århus, Skien. See a reconstructed longhouse, forge, and…