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

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Seglvikveien 144, Kjøllefjord, Norway

See all sites in Kjøllefjord

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Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Norway

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www.visitnordkyn.com

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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 Zvonimir Hrvoj

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Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Finnkirka