Text and images Britt-Arnhild Wigum Lindland
I am in Tønsberg, the oldest city of Norway.
Spring is late in Norway this year, and after a long, cold winter I am eagerly looking for spring along my paths. Sp I did yesterday morning, and from coffee near the canal my walk took me up to the castle hill.
The morning mist was about to leave. I got my photos, the next moment the sun was shining brightly.
On the way up the hill I passed a statue. Princess Kristina I read.
750 years ago there was a young girl living here, Princess Kristina, the daughter of King Håkon Håkonsson. In 1256 a group of men came from Spain all the way up to Norway to seek out this beautiful girl. The Spanish King Alfonso the Wise wanted Princess Kristina as a wife for his brother.
I found a simple bench where I could sit down, resting my back against the old castle wall stones. There, with my face towards the sun, I opened my diary. The shining silver amongst the grey path stones created themselves into words, a reflection, thoughts speaking directly to my heart.
What happened to Princess Kristina?
Norway, in spring looks really mysterious. And the coffee looks delicious!
Posted by: Cheryl Cruz | 04/28/2011 at 08:55 AM
I have to say that Norway is a beautiful country to visit, I have been many times, the photo's above are great but do not reflect Norway in its true light. Although they do add an air of mystery to the culture and history it has to offer.
Posted by: Fincas in Mallorca | 06/07/2011 at 12:09 PM
I wouldn't like to live in the castle, the place looks a little bleak. The statue of Princess Kristina looks ever so solace and lonely.
Posted by: Denmark is Great | 06/21/2011 at 12:03 PM
Tonsberg looks a really interesting place to visit, the ghostliness of the statue on the hill and the castle at the top of the hill looks really interesting. Norway is stunning if visited at the right time of the year, spring is certainly one of the better times of year, however I like winter time over there myself.
Posted by: Joanne | 07/07/2011 at 07:49 AM
Having visited Tonsberg many years ago, I have to say that it is an exceptional place to visit. I would be interested to learn what actually happened to Princess Kristina and whether she actually married the brother of Alfonso the Wise?
Posted by: Berlin Hotels | 07/25/2011 at 10:43 AM
The coffee looks great, the above pictures of Norway, do make it look quite mysterious, it is the type of place that school would take you to visit. There is loads of history behind the buildings and the statues. Princess Kristina's history dates back to 1200's.
Posted by: Oliver | 08/04/2011 at 12:16 PM
There is a massive history that surrounds Princess Kristina, there is loads of information on the internet. I found out all about it after visiting Denmark with my husband last year.
Posted by: Jo | 08/08/2011 at 05:19 PM