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Norway's fourth largest city, Stavanger grew
to prominence as a fish canning center. However, in more reason years, it has become the capital for Norway's offshore oil and gas industry. While Stavanger is a commercial center, it is also a cultural center. Indeed, in 2008 it was designated a European capital of culture. Many of its historic buildings have been preserved and the city is a mix of the old and the new. Stavanger has a unique collection of museums, some of which are devoted to unusual topics. For example, it has a museum devoted to fish canning, a museum about the oil industry and a telephony museum. There are also museums devoted to more typical topics such as archaeology, art, the city's history, maritime history, and graphic arts. Stavanger also has a children's museum and a Norwegian emigration center. Cruise ship's dock in the center of town. Within easy walking distance is the main city square, the cathedral, and the old quarter of the city. Outside of town, King Harold the Fair-haired triumphed in a battle that made him king of all of Norway thus uniting the country. The site of the battle is marked by three sculptures of giant swords buried point down in the earth. Also outside of Stavanger is a reconstructed Iron Age farm in Ullandhaug showing what life was like 1,500 years ago. In the same area is the Ullandaugtanet Tower, a television tower with a viewing platform with panoramic views of Stavanger and the surrounding countryside. |
Above: The Kongsgard is quite close to the cruise ship pier.
Below: Stavanger Cathedral was begun in 1125 under the direction of the Bishop of Winchester. 
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The waterfront area near the cruise ship pier has well-kept shops and cobble stone streets.
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Left: The Petroleum Museum. |
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Next to the cruise pier is Gamle Stavanger, the old quarter
of the city. It has the largest collection of 18th Century wooden buildings (173 houses) in northern Europe. Once a working class district, the area is meticulously maintained homes, art studios and gardens. |
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An Iron Age farm has been reconstructed just outside of
Stavanger. 
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Cruise destination profile - Norway - Norwegian Fjords - Stavanger