User Reviews
In the middle of canyons, gorges, caves and streams is located a ruin of a Kláštorisko Carthusian monastery from the beginning of the 14th century. In the 13th century Kláštorisko saved citizens of nearby cities and villages from attacks of Tatars. By the Articles of association of a monastery (12th December 1299) on “Skala útočišťa (The Rock of Refuge)” begins more than 250 years of operation of the silent Carthusian order. They named this place “Raj (Paradise)” and this name stayed until nowadays.
Extensive ruins of gothic monastery of Carthusian order: church with polygonal chancel and south oriented sacristy, chapel, cloister, monastic buildings, hospice and workshops. The original entrance gate is from downhill – north side, while on the uphil – south side was only gate for pedestrians (nowadays main entrance). South part of monastery with entrance courtyard surrounded by hospice, church and buildings of upper monastery was accessible to public. Middle part has typical benedictine scheme (house of prior, chapel, kitchen and library).
References:Steinvikholm Castle is an island fortress built between 1525 to 1532 by Norway's last Catholic archbishop, Olav Engelbrektsson. Steinvikholm castle became the most powerful fortification by the time it was built, and it is the largest construction raised in the Norwegian Middle Ages.
The castle occupies about half of the land on the rocky island. The absence of a spring meant that fresh water had to be brought from the mainland. A wooden bridge served as the only way to the island other than boat. Although the castle design was common across Europe in 1525, its medieval design was becoming obsolete because of the improved siege firepower offered by gunpowder and cannons.
The castle was constructed after Olav Engelbrektsson returned from a meeting with the Pope in Rome, presumably in anticipation of impending military-religious conflict. As Archbishop Engelbrektsson's resistance to the encroachment of Danish rule escalated, first with Frederick I of Denmark and his successor Christian III of Denmark, Steinvikholm Castle and Nidarholm Abbey became the Catholic Church's military strongholds in Norway. In April 1537, the Danish-Norwegian Reformation succeeded in driving the archbishop from the castle into exile in Lier in the Netherlands (now in Belgium), where he died on 7 February 1538. At the castle the archbishop left behind St. Olav's shrine and other treasures from Nidaros Cathedral (Trondheim). The original coffin containing St. Olav's body remained at Steinvikholm until it was returned to Nidaros Cathedral in 1564. Since 1568 St. Olav's grave in Nidaros has been unknown.
From the 17th to 19th century, the island was used as a quarry and some of its masonry was sold and removed from the site. This activity was condoned by the Danish-Norwegian authorities as a way of eliminating a monument to the opposition of the Danish–Norwegian Union.
Steinvikholm fort is owned and operated today by The society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments. The island has been the site of the midnight opera which details the life and struggles of the archbishop. The opera is held in August annually. The opera is organized by Steinvikholm Musikkteater since the beginning in 1993.