Museum, monument and historical play
The Monument "TIDSKIFTE" ("Change of Time").
Standing proudly in the centre of Hareid is the monument "Tidskifte" ("Change of Time"). Unvailed in 2001 the monument centres around three arrows used in Hareid’s Coat of Arms to symbolize the famous Viking battle of Hjørungavåg in 986.
"Tidskifte" is a symbol of Hareid’s past, present and future. The monument has become widely known due to one of its arrows vibrating at times for no apparent reason. "The Shaking Arrow of Hareid" is a popular tourist attraction. All sorts of theories have been suggested, but the phenomenon remains an unsolved mystery even to this day. Artist: Roger Wagland
Hareid church is a traditional wooden langkyrkje (long-church) from 1877. The alter-piece was made in 1660 by Anders l. Smith from Scotland and bought from Stavanger Hospital church in 1915.
The vicarage beside the church, today a museum, is probably the oldest house in the commune (pre-1600). The first town hall, were secular and religious local governing bodies met.
The monument was erected to commemorate the 1000 year anniversary of the battle of Hjørungavåg (986 A.D.). according to Snorre the earls Håkon and Eirik won a battle at this spot over a Danish invasion army supported by the Joms Vikings. The battle was decisive in the process towards a united Norway.
Artist: Einar Magne Flø
"The Battle of Power at Hjørungavåg" is a historical play that was shown for the first time beside the monument at Overå in 1986 - 1000 years after the battle of Hjørungavåg.
http://www.vikinglandet.com/
This former home of a local artist family was bequeathed to the local authority of Hareid. Composer Rasofiel Rise started part-choir singing about 1860 and was father to photographer John Olav (1885-1978) and painter Hermod (1888-1953). The house is undergoing restoration and a traditional barn is now being built to accommodate the family`s many cultural treasures.
The Artic ocean Museum and the sealer Aarvak are situated in Brandal.
Brandal was central as a base for fishing and hunting in the artic area, and the museums objective is to preserve the rich traditions of these earlier activities. The oldest polar vessel of its kind, "Aarvak", is to be at the museum together with 1600 registered items and stuffed animals such as musk ox, polar wolf, polar bear, seals and artic birds.
www.ishavsmuseet.no