Pilegrimsleden | Kulisteinen - on the UNESCO World Heritage List

Kulisteinen is inscribed on UNESCO's documentary heritage. It was found at Kuli on Smøla. Today, a copy of the stone can be seen near where it originally stood.

Website

https://www.pilegrimsleden.no/en/interest-points/smola-med-edoy-gamle-kirke-og-kulisteinen

Stamp

Here you can get a stamp with the Kulisteinen. It counts as one of 6 necessary stamps form key places to get an Olavsbrev when you arrive in Trondheim.

Guestbook

You are welcome to sign your name in the same box as the stamp.

Kulisteinen is part of the pilgrimage site Smøla

It is about three kilometers from the arrival point on Edøya to Kuløy with the Kulisteinen. The Kulisteinen is a national monument of the highest class where the Christianization of the country is mentioned and the national name Norway is mentioned for the first time. On the stone is carved in runes: "Tore and Hallvard erected this stone after (Ulvjlot)…. Twelve winters had Christianity been in Norway…”.

Norway's baptismal certificate

It is likely that relatives erected the stone with text on it in memory of a deceased person, and this type of inscription is common on runestones from the Middle Ages. What is special here is that the stone can be dated – and at the same time gives an indication of when Christianity was officially introduced in Norway. The writing and language form on the stone indicate a date to the beginning of the 11th century.

The original Kulistinen with runic inscription is today in the Science Museum in Trondheim, but a copy is on display on Kuløy at the site where the Kulistinen was originally found. You can read more about the Kulistinen on the Science Museum's website.

Pilgrimage to Kulisteinen

There are many who choose to walk from the regional pilgrimage center to Kulisteinen. There is a beautiful view from the spectacular bridge on the way to Kuli. Maybe you will see an eagle? Then you walk along the main road where the ferry traffic goes. Keep to the side of the road.