Discovering Sola Ruin Church and Domsteinane. And the story of viking chieftain Erling Skjalgsson 🇳🇴

Best experience with use of headphones 🎧

HISTORY OF SOLA RUIN KIRKE (Sola Ruin Church)
Sola Ruinkirke, also known as Sola Old Church or Sola Ruin Church, is a medieval stone church ruin located in Sola Municipality, Rogaland County, Norway, just south of Stavanger. It stands as a testament to Norway's early Christian and Viking-era heritage, with its site offering panoramic views of the North Sea, Solastranden beach, and Hafrsfjord—strategic elements that likely influenced its original purpose. The church's history spans from the 12th century to modern restoration efforts, blending religious, cultural, and military narratives.

Origins and Construction (12th Century)
The church was constructed around 1120–1140 as a Romanesque stone building, featuring a rectangular nave and a smaller rectangular chancel—a typical design for early Norwegian parish churches. This makes it one of the oldest surviving church structures in the Jæren region. The earliest documented reference to the church dates to 1273 in Latin records as ecclesiam de Sola ("the church at Sola").
Historians speculate that the stone church may have been built atop an earlier wooden stave church, a common transition in medieval Scandinavia as Christianity solidified. Local lore ties it to Erling Skjalgsson (c. 975–1028), a powerful Viking chieftain and early Christian convert who controlled the Sola estate (Old Norse: Sóli, possibly meaning "sun"). Erling, a key ally of Olaf II (Norway's patron saint), may have commissioned the original wooden structure as part of his manor at "Church-Sola," marking the site's shift from pagan to Christian use. A large memorial stone (bautastein) dedicated to Erling stands just outside the ruins today, part of a series of seven "Erling resting stones"

Erling Skjalgsson: A Brief Overview
Erling Skjalgsson (c. 975–1028) was a powerful Viking chieftain and early Christian leader from Sola, Rogaland, Norway. As a wealthy landowner controlling the Sóli estate, he wielded significant influence in western Norway, rivaling petty kings. Married to Astrid, sister of King Olaf Tryggvason, Erling was a key ally in Norway’s Christianization, likely founding a wooden church at Sola, predecessor to Sola Ruinkirke. His political and military prowess made him a regional power, often clashing with King Olaf II over autonomy.

Death and Circumstances
Erling died in 1028 during the Battle of Boknafjord, a naval clash near Bokn, Rogaland, against King Olaf II’s forces. According to Heimskringla, Erling led a fleet to resist Olaf’s centralizing efforts but was betrayed by his ally Aslak, who struck him with an axe during the battle, killing him. His death weakened regional resistance and solidified Olaf’s control.

DOMSTEINANE AT SOLA
Domsteinane, located near Sola Ruinkirke in Sola, Rogaland, Norway, is a collection of ancient standing stones (bautasteiner) dating back to the Viking Age or earlier. These large, upright stones, situated close to the coast, are believed to have served as memorials, markers for gatherings, or ritual sites, possibly linked to pre-Christian or early Christian practices in the region. Associated with the legacy of Viking chieftain Erling Skjalgsson, the stones complement the nearby Sola Ruinkirke, reflecting Sola’s rich historical and cultural significance. They stand as a striking feature along the Solaturen trail, drawing visitors to explore their mysterious past.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:53 Sola Ruin Church
7:44 Erling Skjalgsson
11:11 Domsteinane

#history #vikings #norway