Vikings, arts and culture in Stavanger

Famous for its folklore of trolls living in the mountains and legends of long-bearded Vikings – it even has a football team called Viking Stavanger – the city of Stavanger manages to blow away the cobwebs.

Named as the (non-EU) European Capital of Culture for 2008, a title it will share with Liverpool as the EU winner, it is a fantastic time to visit the Norwegian city of Stavanger. It is easily reachable by air, but for the more environmentally conscious or those wanting to avoid airport queues, DFDS Seaways sails out from North Shields.

Mixing the old with the new, acclaimed artist Antony Gormley has placed sculptures throughout the city to mark the cultural celebration.

The Angel of the North sculptor has created 23 cast-iron figures based on his own body around Stavanger as part of his 'Broken Column' project. Rgaland Art Museum is a good place to start, but visitors should keep a look out throughout the city for his creations – you never know where one might pop up!

The area's breathtaking scenery is also set to play a significant role in the cultural celebrations. Surrounded by stunning views, one of the most popular visitor destinations is Pulpit Rock, a natural rock formation with a 25 metre plateau that stands 604 metres above the sea.

Involving a two-hour hike along a marked trail, walkers can look down at the beautiful fjord of Lysefjorden. But for those who have conveniently left their walking boots at home, there is also a Lysefjorden boat trip.

Holidaymakers wanting to view more of the dramatic landscape can take advantage of a range of coach tours, including trips to the nearby chic port of Haugesund or view the breathtaking views of Hardangerfjord on the road to Bergen, home to famous composer Edvard Grieg and dramatist Henrik Ibsen.

Known as Europe's 'Timber City', Stavanger also plans to showcase 15 exemplary building projects as part of the Norwegian Wood programme. But for a taste of the older architecture more than 170 preserved wooden-built houses, built towards the late 18th and early 19th century, can be found in the Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger) area.

Believed to be Europe's largest collection of wooden buildings, rows of charming white houses line the cobbled pavements. Most are privately-owned, but many are open to the public and used as art galleries and museums. The area includes the Norwegian Canning Museum, located in a 1920s factory.

As well as being proud of its industrial heritage, Stavanger also showcases the Norwegian Petroleum Museum near the harbour area. It was growth of oil production in the 1960s that breathed life back into the city following the decline of its canning industry.

Moving away from the cobbled streets of Old Stavanger, it is a short distance to the city centre. Lined with more picturesque housing and narrow streets, the centre is unlike the bustling Norwegian cities of Bergen or Oslo. The intimate pedestrianised area offers a mixture of traditional shops as well as larger high street stores.

Stavanger Cathedral, believed to be the only cathedral in the country from the Middle Ages that has retained its appearance and remained in constant use, can also be found in the town centre.

But if you need a break from all the sightseeing you have been doing, or maybe from all that shopping, the area also hosts a number of welcoming bars and restaurants.

Save up your pennies for a pint of Hansa and take in the centre's atmosphere at one of the many outside bars; you might even be lucky enough to spot a Gormley statue while you sup your pint.

For more information on visiting Stavanger for a bit of culture contact the official Stavanger website.

Elaine Samson