The ruins of Olavs’ Church

In the heart of Tønsberg, opposite the public library, you can explore the ruins of Olav's Church. Built in the late 12th century, it was Norway's only known medieval round church. The surviving stone foundations offer a glimpse of the time when Tønsberg was one of Norway's most important medieval towns.

A round church inspired by Jerusalem
Olav's Church was unlike most medieval churches in Norway. Its circular main chamber measured approximately 23 metres in internal diameter, making it one of the largest round churches in Scandinavia. Its architecture shared similarities with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage destinations. The unusual design reflects the religious and cultural influences reaching Norway from medieval Europe. The church was also connected to the political struggles of the period. In 1207, the Bagler king Erling Steinvegg was buried here.

The church and its medieval monastery
Olav's Church belonged to St Olav's Monastery, established by the Premonstratensian order in the late 12th century. Both the church and monastery were destroyed by fire, probably during the great fire of Tønsberg in 1536. They were never rebuilt, and stone from the ruins was later reused as building material elsewhere in the town. Today, you can see the foundations of the round church outdoors. Additional monastery ruins are preserved in the lower level of Tønsberg and Færder Library, which stands on part of the former monastery site.

Explore more of medieval Tønsberg
The ruins are an excellent starting point for exploring the town's medieval history.
Continue to Castle Rock Tower and Slottsfjellet, where you can discover the remains of the medieval fortress of Tunsberghus and enjoy views across Tønsberg. For a deeper look into the town's past, visit the Slottsfjells Museum, with exhibitions exploring medieval history, Viking discoveries and life in Vestfold through the centuries.

Practical information
The ruins of Olav's Church are located at Storgaten 17–19 in central Tønsberg, directly opposite Tønsberg and Færder Library. The church ruins are outdoors and can be viewed independently. To see the monastery ruins preserved inside the library, visit during the library's opening hours. The site is located along Tunsbergleden, a historic pilgrimage route towards Trondheim. Pilgrims can obtain a stamp at the library desk during staffed opening hours. Please respect the protected archaeological remains during your visit.