Halsnøy kloster
Ruins of an Augustinian monastery from around 1300 on Halsnøy in the Hardangerfjord, with an exhibition on 850 years of history in the cellar of the main building.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
On the island of Halsnøy at the mouth of the Hardangerfjord lie the ruins of an Augustinian monastery, built around the year 1300. Monastic activity on the site can, however, be traced back to the 12th century, and in the Middle Ages Halsnøy was one of the most powerful monasteries in the region.
Today the site is a museum and cultural venue. Beside the monastery ruins stand a main building and a naust (boathouse), and stone from the monastery church has been preserved. In the cellar of the main building a historical exhibition shows the site’s history over roughly 850 years, from the founding of the Augustinian monastery to the museum’s operation today.
Halsnøy kloster is one of 26 important places along Kystpilegrimsleia (the Coastal Pilgrim Route), which runs from Egersund to Trondheim. A cultural trail in the surrounding area has been created in cooperation with Venelaget for Halsnøy kloster (the Halsnøy Monastery friends’ association) and Riksantikvaren. Lectures, concerts and exhibitions take place throughout the year, and the site is approved as a wedding venue. The museum is run by Sunnhordland museum.
Highlights
- Ruins of an Augustinian monastery from around 1300
- Historical exhibition in the cellar of the main building
- Stop on the Kystpilegrimsleia (Coastal Pilgrim Route) between Egersund and Trondheim
- Cultural trail around the monastery
- Concerts, lectures and the monastery day (klosterdagen)
Permanent exhibition
- Halsnøy kloster før og nå – Historical exhibition in the cellar of the main building on the monastery’s history over roughly 850 years.
- Operated by
- Sunnhordland museum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 120 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 100Seniors and students |
| Children & teens | NOK 60free up to age 5 · Children aged 6–16. Children under 6 enter free. |
| Families | NOK 500Two adults and three children, guided tour and exhibition ticket. |
| Guided tour and exhibition, adult | NOK 200 |
| Guided tour and exhibition, children aged 6–16 | NOK 100Children under 6 enter free. |
| Guided tour and exhibition, seniors and students | NOK 150 |
The prices apply to the exhibition; a ticket with a guided tour costs more.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | NOK 500 · Two adults and three children, guided tour and exhibition ticket. |
Family activities are offered at Easter and in summer.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The site is rented out for meetings and events and is an approved wedding venue for the Church of Norway (Den norske kirke), the Catholic Church (Den katolske kirke) and Human-Etisk Forbund (the Humanist Association).
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group tours are booked by phone on +47 481 30 020 or by email at hkl@sunnhordland.museum.no. Larger groups by arrangement. |
