KYRKESUNDET

In 1030 the Norwegian king, Olav Haraldsson, died at the Battle of Stiklastad in South East Norway. He had worked hard to convert his people to Christianity and now rumours of miracles at his graveside began to spread. He was canonized and declared Norway's national saint.

The cult of Olav spread throughout Northern Europe and 200 churches were dedicated to Saint Olav, 49 of them in Norway. Pilgrims flocked to his grave at Nidaros, today called Trondheim.

They walked over the fjäll or came north by sea through the Bohuslän archipelago. If you study a map of the province you will find various places bearing the name of the Norwegian king, not least here around Kyrkesund.

According to legend, Olav and his brother Harald agreed on a race for the crown of Norway. They set sail northwards. That Olav won, despite having the heavier vessel, was of course the work of God. Just here God caused the rock to split and a short cut, Kyrkesund, opened up for Olav.

Four trolls standing on the shore tried to stop him. He cursed them, and they turned into Saint Olav's Beacons, still there today to mark the way into Kyrkesund.