2007-08-12

Steilene


Outside Oslo there is a group of five small islands called Steilene. These five islands have a violent past if we should beleive the history behind the name. It's said that the name Steilene come from an instrument used in conjunction with torture and deathpenalties, that is called an Steile. The history says that the islands was used as a place where they killed criminals. Others belive Steilene was used to warn seafarers of the horrible punishment that was given to mutiny.

This is Fyrsteilene (in English that would be Lighthouse-steilene), the outermost of the islands. In the past somebody had to live on the island to watch the lighthouse, but today it's all automated. But you can rent the house if you want to stay for a night or two (or more). :o)

You can see Oslo behind the island. To the left for the sailingyacht you can spot Holmenkollen too (the skijumping-arena Lothiane showed you earlier).

Photo: by Stormel

8 kommentarer:

Lothiane sa...

Wow, I've lived here most of my life, but never heard of Steilene. That's a cool history, well.. perhaps not cool, but quite interesting!

(Thanks for submitting a photo, Stormel - I forgot all about it today!)

:)

Z sa...

It looks beautiful, even after reading the possibly dark history. Would you rent the house yourself? How many can stay there overnight? I probably would never do it, but I like to think that I would... ;-)

Fabrizio Zanelli sa...

If I could born again and if lighthouse weren't automated, for sure I would be a lighthouse keeper. Place I love most are those where sky, sea and ground struggle eternally between themselves.

rp sa...

I had never heard of them before and I try to get out on the Oslo Fjord at least once a year. Great photo!

Fredrik sa...

Lovely colors! I've actually lived close by. I stayed at Ulvøja for nine months during 1999, while studying social antrophology at the university. One day I saw a dolphin (!) jump out of the water.
Nice memory...

Stormel sa...

I think I agree with Fabrizio! I would love to be a lighthousekeeper too! If I don't remember it all wrong, the last lighthousekeeper in Norway had to quit this winter, as the last lighthouse got automated, somewhere up north. I think that's kind of sad!

I don't know how many beds the house has. I have never stopped at the islands, but I certainly will some day. :o) There is also a nice marina at one of the other island.

You were lucky, Fredrik! I have never seen dolphins in Oslo, but I really want to! :o)

Dsole sa...

that's a beauuuuuutiful pic indeed! what a terrific blue sea!

Anonym sa...

Beautiful place and photo. The next time I come to Oslo, I'm going through this blog to make notes of places to check out. Here's another one!