Hustad: Church, royal memorial and landscape

Hustad can be explored through three themes: today’s Hustad kirke, the memorial to King Øystein and the distinctive rock formation Aslaksteinen. They represent different ways of discovering the place: church architecture, a historical tradition and a landscape also associated with prehistoric finds. When planning your trip, this distinction can help you decide what interests you most: would you like to learn about the church’s architectural history, put the tradition surrounding the royal memorial into context, or discover Aslaksteinen and its landscape history? There is also a kayak route starting nearby. Hustad thus offers cultural history in the village and a separate activity in the surrounding area.

Hustad kirke and its architectural history

Today’s Hustad kirke is a long church consecrated in 1875, designed by Jacob Wilhelm Nordan and built by master builder Jacob Digre. It has around 350 seats. The church contains an altarpiece and a baptismal font dating from 1723; both were created by Peder Knutsen Kjørsvik, a woodcarver and church artist. The furnishings therefore predate the consecration of the present church. These dates refer to different things: 1723 is the date of the altarpiece and baptismal font, while 1875 is the year the present church building was consecrated.

The older cruciform church stood above today’s Hustad kirke. It was built in 1738 and demolished in 1876. Its predecessor burned down in 1718 after being struck by lightning; the Hustad congregation was without a church for 20 years. The dates describe several building phases: 1718 refers to the predecessor that burned down, 1738 and 1876 to the cruciform church, and 1875 to the present church.

The memorial to King Øystein

The memorial to King Øystein Magnusson in Hustad also serves as a rest stop. Here you can enjoy the view and learn about the history from the information boards on site. It commemorates King Øystein, who died in 1123 during a stay at the royal estate of Stim. According to tradition, the king had an estate in Hustad; its exact location is unknown. A memorial stele was erected in the late 19th century to mark the royal estate.

Aslaksteinen and a nearby kayak route

Aslaksteinen in Hustad is a cliff formation about 200 metres long. According to local tradition, it is said to have served as a refuge fortress. Prehistoric finds have been made near Hustad, in the summit area of Aslaksteinen, including remains of a path to the summit and of a castle. For travellers interested in the landscape and traces of prehistory, Aslaksteinen adds another topic to the church’s architectural history and the royal memorial.

A kayak route starts nearby, at Askevågen on Male. It heads west towards Skutholmen in Vikan. The route includes sheltered sections as well as exposed stretches and crossings. Conditions must be carefully assessed before every outing. Unlike the church and memorial, this activity takes place in the surrounding area; its route and changing conditions are separate aspects to consider when planning.

Discover more destinations: Farstad, Tornes, Bud, Aureosen, Elnesvågen

Return to the main travel guide: Fræna.