Utstein Kloster

Utstein Kloster stands on Mosterøy, north-west of Stavanger, and is the best-preserved medieval monastery in Norway. It is operated as a museum by Museum Stavanger, with exhibitions, guided visits and a learning programme. The monastery church is used as a concert room and for events. The programme takes in the Norsk Orgelfestival — with the Stavanger cathedral ensemble and cathedral cantor — world music such as the Arabic folk and electronica duo Habeeb & Bishop, and medieval seminars. Opening hours follow the season: Monday to Saturday 10:00–16:00 and Sunday 12:00–17:00 from 15 May to 31 August; Sundays only 12:00–17:00 from 31 August to 31 October and again from 1 March to 15 May; closed for the winter from 1 November to 28 February. Admission is 170 NOK for adults, free for under-18s and for students and conscripts on production of a valid card, with an annual pass at 700 NOK; one ticket admits to all of Museum Stavanger's open museums the same day. Functions, conferences and accommodation are booked through Utstein Kloster Hotell rather than the museum, and baptisms and weddings through the church. Utstein kloster is a fully protected historic building, so wheelchair accessibility is poor: old buildings with many stairs limit access throughout, though the church can be reached through the nave entrance. There are toilets on the slope up to the entrance, and parking down by the sea below the monastery — for large events it is easier to park at Utstein Kloster Hotell and walk across.