Utstein Kloster - the Abbey beside Mosterøy

It's Maundy Thursday (Last Supper of Jesus) and how ironic because it fell on April 1, also known as April Fool's Day. My family should visit the Oil Museum today but since we arrived a little bit late, my husband just decided to go to Utstein Kloster, a charming 13th century monastery on the island of Mosterøy 30 minutes north of Stavanger.




We went there by car. We took the E39 north from Stavanger, through the first undersea tunnel (233 metres below sea level), past the toll booth, over the bridge, then turn right at the sign for Mosteroy. Turn left at the roundabout, then follow the road across Mosteroy to Klosteroy.


The abbey is at the end of the road. Utstein Kloster is on Klosterøy (or Abbey island) which is connected to Fjøløy and Mosterøy, and more islands beyond. Restored over the last 100 years, it is unique in Norway. It is the best-preserved monastery in the whole of Norway.



Visiting Utstein gives us an insight into the country’s religious make-up. It is the only monastery to have survived from pre-reformation days in a strongly Protestant culture.


It’s a bit like clothes shopping when we went and visited the place, we might find something special hidden, that’s why we always open every door.