Hustad: Royal Memorial, Church History and Aslaksteinen

Hustad is a destination where a visit to the royal memorial, a varied church history and a rock formation steeped in local lore come together. A kayaking tour in the surrounding area offers an active addition. When looking for a holiday apartment in Hustad, you can weigh up these highlights: are you interested in local history and historic building phases, or would you also like to plan a trip on the water? The specific sites tell different stories—from the royal estate at Stim to the prehistoric finds at Aslaksteinen.

Royal Memorial at the Rest Stop

At the monument to King Øystein Magnusson, you can use the rest stop, enjoy the view and learn about the history from the information boards on site. King Øystein died in 1123 while staying at the royal estate at Stim. According to tradition, he had a royal estate at Hustad; its exact location is unknown. A memorial stele was erected in the late 19th century to mark the royal estate.

Hustad Church and Its Building History

Today’s Hustad Church is a long church with around 350 seats, consecrated in 1875. Jacob Wilhelm Nordan designed the building, and master builder Jacob Digre constructed it. A long church is laid out lengthwise, unlike the older cruciform church above it. The church contains an altarpiece and a baptismal font from 1723, created by the woodcarver and church artist Peder Knutsen Kjørsvik. These works of art date from an earlier period than the current building.

The building history goes back further still. An older cruciform church stood above today’s Hustad Church; it was built in 1738 and demolished in 1876. Its predecessor burned down in 1718 after being struck by lightning, leaving the Hustad congregation without a church for 20 years. The new building of 1738 marked the end of this twenty-year period without a church. Today’s long church was consecrated in 1875, a year before the cruciform church was demolished.

Aslaksteinen: Cliffs and Local Lore

Aslaksteinen in Hustad is a cliff formation around 200 metres long. According to local lore, it is said to have been a refuge fortress. Prehistoric finds have been made near the summit, including remnants of a path to the summit and a fortress. The length describes the extent of the rock formation, while the finds relate to the summit area.

Kayaking Tour in the Surrounding Area

A kayaking tour starts nearby in Askevågen on Male, near Hustad. It heads west towards Skutholmen in Vikan. Sheltered stretches alternate with exposed sections and crossings; conditions must be carefully assessed along the way on every trip. Unlike the cultural and historical attractions, this activity focuses on a route on the water.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Elnesvågen, Tornes, Bud, Aureosen, Farstad.

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