Finnkirka, Kjøllefjord, Norway

On the sea approach to Kjøllefjord is the distinctive Finnkirka rock formation. According to legend, Finnkirka was an ancient sacrificial site for fishermen, seafarers and the Sami. Those sailing along the coast feared the stretch of sea past Nordkyn. On their eastward journey, seafarers sailed as far as the sea cliff Altertavla on the eastern side of the fjord and made an offering for a safe onward journey. On the return voyage, they sailed to Finnkirka on the western side of the fjord and gave an offering of thanks for surviving the voyage round Nordkyn.

The two rock formations are mentioned in old sources as a Sami sacrificial site and sacred sea cliff. Finnkirka is listed by The Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Norway (Riksantikvaren) as a Sami cultural monument. A marked trail offering spectacular viewing points leads out over the plateau above Finnkirka, but if you want to experience the cliffs at close range you need to go by boat.

Finnkirka has always led the way. Today the cliff is illuminated with artistic lighting when the Hurtigruten approaches it in the darkness of the Polar Night.

References:

Visit Nordkyn

Miscellaneous historic sites in Norway

Address

Seglvikveien 144, Kjøllefjord, Norway

See all sites in Kjøllefjord

Details

Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Norway

More Information

www.visitnordkyn.com

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Annhild Brit Gustavsen (2 years ago)

Bjørn Rekdal (4 years ago)
Parked in the caravan park at the entrance to Kjøllefjord and looked straight out at Finnkirka. Finnkirka is a sea cliff shaped like a cathedral at the entrance to Kjøllefjord, Finnkirka is then both an old Sami sacrificial place, and a place where fishermen stopped to pray for good weather on their way out and give thanks for coming again.

J W (5 years ago)

Juha Varis (6 years ago)
We hiked to the Finnkirka: 10 km (round trip) with medium challenging route. Beautiful landscapes along the route (small rivers and lakes, a valley), birds and different kind of rocks. Finnkirka you can see above it, no possibility to walk there.

Vidar Hansen (7 years ago)

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Finnkirka