Tyssøy Explained

Tyssøyna
Tyssøy
Pushpin Map:Vestland#Norway
Pushpin Label:Tyssøyna
Pushpin Label Position:top
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of the island
Location:Vestland, Norway
Coordinates:60.2937°N 5.1584°W
Area Km2:0.9
Length Km:1.6
Width Km:1
Elevation M:80
Highest Mount:Varden
Country:Norway
Country Admin Divisions Title:County
Country Admin Divisions:Vestland
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:Municipality
Country Admin Divisions 1:Øygarden Municipality
Population:70
Population As Of:2016

Tyssøyna or Tyssøy is an island in Øygarden Municipality in Vestland county, Norway.[1] The 0.9km2 island lies in the northern part of the Raunefjorden. The island has a population of about 70 and is connected to the neighboring island of Bjorøy to the north via a short bridge. Bjorøy is connected to the mainland by the Bjorøy Tunnel. The island is named for the Norse god Týr. On the western side of the island is a wide and sheltered harbour called Tyssøyvågen. A narrow inlet leads into the harbour from the south, on the eastern side of the inlet several large soapstone rocks have tumbled down from the hillside. On one of these rocks a peculiar little "carving" is found. In the local community it is named "the crown" or "Tyssøykruna". Further inland on Tyssøy is a larger soapstone locality, bearing traces of being quarried for building material, most probably of a Medieval date. It seems likely that the quarrying activities at the two sites have taken place at the same time. This indicates that the earliest possible date for the figure at the inlet of Tyssøyvågen is the Middle Ages.[2] Also during the Middle Ages (ca. 1305), the Norwegian king Haakon V built a royal chapel on the island. Remains of the chapel are still visible at a site called "Kyrkjesteinane".[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tyssøyna, Sund (Hordaland). yr.no. Norwegian . 2014-12-10.
  2. Mandt, Gro. 2007. Messages in stone. Long-term tradition – changing meanings. Hårdh, B., Jennbert, K. & Olausson, D. (red.). On the road. Studies in honour of Lars Larsson. Stockholm: 51–56. http://lup.lub.lu.se/record/538929/file/3561047.pdf
  3. Ekerhovd, Nils-Arne. Sancti Ludovici in Tussisoy: Eit kongeleg kapell på Tyssøyna. Havstrilen 2015 (15) s. 6-13