Cultural heritage and cultural monuments

Suldal is rich in cultural heritage, ranging from ancient traces of people who lived here thousands of years ago to the present-day cultural offerings. Here is some information about some of these cultural heritage sites.

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Cultural heritage in our mountain areas bears witness to the long history of the wild reindeer mountains. There may be traces of hunting and trapping sites, bow stands, animal pits/traps, graves of hunters, and many other cultural heritage sites that can be seen in the mountains if you know what to look for. From the Iron Age, there are rock carvings depicting reindeer and trap pits together, providing important historical documentation.

Cairns or stone piles are perhaps the most commonly encountered cultural heritage sites, marking paths and travel routes, often to hunting grounds, summer farms, and dwelling places. Cairns, burial mounds, and bridal paths are other types of cultural heritage sites one may come across. It is important not to move or build new cairns or stone piles. Cultural heritage sites in the mountains should be left undisturbed so that future generations can experience them.

Cultural Heritage in Suldalsheiane and the HIDDEN App

In the HIDDEN app, you can find mapped cultural heritage sites and use GPS to see where they are relative to your location. In addition to the cultural heritage sites registered in the public database www.kulturminnesok.no, the app also includes supplementary information from other sources.

The information in the app often makes the trip more interesting for both adults and children. You may receive hints about what to look for, which you might not have noticed otherwise. This can stimulate the imagination, allowing you to envision how people lived in earlier times.

The Ryfylke Museum

In Suldal, we are fortunate to have our own regional museum, the Ryfylke Museum. They have done a remarkable job of archiving cultural heritage, ensuring the preservation of historic buildings, and conveying much of our rich history. They achieve this, among other things, by operating various exhibitions and museum sites throughout Ryfylke. They also organize various events that contribute to their vision of being an inclusive meeting place for knowledge and experiences.

At their headquarters in Nesasjøhuset in Sand, you will find a rich selection of local history books and other literature. They also have a local archive.

Learn more about Ryfylke Museum by visiting their website: ryfylkemuseet.no

The Churches in Suldal

Our churches are not only important religious buildings but also tell stories about the communities and people who lived there for hundreds of years. Visiting a church will give you an understanding of the society you are visiting, as well as an opportunity to explore fascinating architectural styles and art from the time the church was built and used.

In Suldal, we have churches in Sand, Jelsa, Erfjord, and Suldalsosen, and there are chapels in Marvik and Nesflaten.

Suldal Cultural Center

Our cultural center is a vibrant hub that is used every day of the week. Here you will find a library, bowling alley, café, cinema, cultural school, and exhibition space.

The Suldal Cultural Center was designed by the architectural firm Asplan Viak in Stavanger and opened on September 20, 2002. It is located on Løhaugen in Sand, Suldal. Løhaugen is the millennium site in Sand. In 2006, an outdoor amphitheater was built, connecting the cultural center and the millennium site.

For information about the cultural center, opening hours, and activities, visit suldal.kulturhus.no.

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