Stavanger kommune

Glimpses of the New Stavanger
Stavanger Centre
The area considered to be the city centre today is largely the
same as the area within the 1848 town boundary. The district
from the cathedral out to Holmen, limited by the market place,
the cathedral square and Kongsgata, is often described as the
medieval town, with its characteristic narrow and winding
streets. The streets are probably based on old paths and tracks,
adapted naturally to the terrain.
After the Second World War, plans to modernize the city centre
with wide streets and new buildings were considered. The
plans were never implemented and, today, most of Holmen and
the area around the cathedral are reserved for pedestrians.
Kirkegata/Breigata
Skagen with the Fred Hansen house in the foreground
Stavanger Cultural Centre
(Stavanger Kulturhus Sølvberget)
When walking round this area, one will sooner or later come
across Arneageren. This little square is the natural centre of
the network of streets, and is where the Cultural Centre Sølvberget
is located. Since 1987, Sølvberget has become a central
cultural venue in the city and region and houses the Stavanger
library, Stavanger cinema, the Norwegian Children’s Museum
(Norsk Barnemuseum), children’s workshop (Barnas Kulturverksted)
and cafés. The centre is very popular and is always
full of people. It has also developed into an international
arena for work related to freedom of speech, where Stavanger
GLIMPSES OF THE NEW STAVANGER
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