In the footsteps of the Viking Chieftain

Sola Ruin Church is a rebuilt medieval church. Till 19th century, the church was an important sailing mark for the coast of Jæren.

In the footsteps of the Viking Chieftain

Erling Skjalgsson (975 - 1028 AD) - Sola's most famous figure of all time

The Erling Skjalgsson Monument stands near the Ruin Church. The stone bauta is erected in memory of Erling Skjalgsson (975 - 1028 AD) who is Sola's most famous person of all time. The chieftain Viking is credited for introducing Christianity in the county of Rogaland. In 2016, his wife of royal blood, Astrid Trygvesdatter, had her stone bauta set up next to Erling's bauta.


Erling Skjalgsson from Sola

Erling Skjalgsson, born around 970 and passing in 1028, stands as the most renowned figure from Sola in Norway. Throughout most of his life, Erling wielded immense power, holding the status of a herse king (petty king) and lendmann across Southwest Norway. Hailing from a prominent family of chieftains in the region, he resided in Sola on Jæren.

According to the sagas, Erling forged a significant alliance by marrying Astrid, sister to the King of Norway, Olav Tryggvason. This union not only solidified his allegiance to the Norwegian monarch but also elevated his influence within the kingdom. His support proved crucial for Olav Tryggvason's reign.

A series of bautestones, known as kvilesteinane or "resting stones," stretch from Hogstad to the inlet of Hafrsfjord. Legend associates these stones with Erling Skjalgsson, marking the spots where those who carried the dead Erling back to his farm in Sola paused during their journey.

Erling met his end in battle against Olav the Holy in 1028. These "resting stones" serve as enduring reminders of his legacy and the events surrounding his final moments.

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Read more about the traces of the Viking Age in Sola (Sola Historielag)

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View from the ruin church. Photo: Elisabeth Tønnesen

In 996, Erling was married to Astrid, sister of Olav Tryggvason (King of Norway 995-1000). After Olav Trygvason's fall at the Battle of Svolder, Erling tried to be on good terms with the new king, Olav the Holy (Norwegian king 1015—1030). However, several disputes between them ended with Erling being killed in the Sovna Strait on 21 December 1028. (Some sources believe that the battle was in the Bokna Strait.) These water stones are the first entry in an Erling Skjalgsson trail. It ends at Hafrsfjordbrua at Jåsund.

Viking statues at Ormen lange. Photo: Elisabeth Tønnesen

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