Battle of Hafrsfjord — the unification of Norway into one kingdom
The Battle of Hafrsfjord in the year 872 marks one of the most famous events in Norwegian history, when King Harald Hårfagre (c. 850—933) unified Norway into one kingdom. According to the sagas, Harald had already subjugated several districts, and the Battle of Hafrsfjord became the decisive showdown against the last opponents. The saga describes that Harald Hårfagre met his opponents here and there was a fierce naval battle after which Harald Hårfagre could call himself king of the land. Many Viking ships gathered in the fjord, located with about three-quarters of its area in the municipality of Sola, where the ships burst together in fierce battle. After the defeat, the remaining opponents fled up to the village fortress on Ytra Mountain, a position that was easy to defend. Here the king of Agder, Kjøtve the Rich, is said to have sought refuge before fleeing further south. Hafrsfjorden is today located in two municipalities with around two-thirds in Sola Municipality and one-third in Stavanger Municipality.
Ytraberget i Sola
Ytra Mountain is the epitome of the Battle of Hafrsfjord and is known for its strategic position at the heart of the bay on the peninsula. During the Viking Age, the area served as a village stronghold, where defenders could protect themselves after the defeat at Hafrsfjord. Today there are several Viking statues made by the artist Oliver Vogt at Ytraberget. Each of these wooden figures imagines various Viking figures and is a memorial to the dramatic events of the fjord.
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Sothaug and the burial mounds at Jåsund
At the inlet of Hafrsfjord, on the Jåsund side, was located Nord-Jæren's largest burial mound, which was originally 40 metres in diameter and 5-6 metres high. Although largely destroyed by 19th century grave robbers and excavations, the mound still bears a historic mark.
Sothaug, which is easily accessible along the new settlement at Hafrsfjord, is a typical burial mound originating from the Bronze Age. Although it was erected long before the Viking Age, it has been common to use such burial mounds over several generations, and weapons and equipment from recent times have been found in the top of the mound.
According to legend, Earl Sote, who died in the Battle of Hafrsfjord, must be buried here.
About Sote Jarl it is described in Snorre's Heimskringla, in Harald Hårfagre's saga:
There were rumors from the south that hordes and smokes, egders and teles gathered together and made voyages, they had both ships and weapons and many peoples; the originators were Eirik Hordalandskonge, Sulke king of Rogaland, and Sote earl, his brother, Kjøtve the Rich, king of Agder, and Tore Haklang, his son; from Telemark came two brothers, Roald Rygg and Hadd the hard one.
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