Prinsesse Kristina

At the foot of Slottsfjellet in Tønsberg stands a statue of Princess Kristina Håkonsdatter, daughter of King Håkon Håkonsson. Created by Norwegian sculptor Britt Sørensen, the statue was unveiled in 1974. It commemorates a Norwegian princess who travelled from Tønsberg to Spain in 1257 to marry a Castilian prince. Today, the sculpture is a historic stop on the way to Slottsfjellet, where visitors can explore the ruins of a medieval royal fortress.

Meet Princess Kristina at Slottsfjellet
The statue stands beside the route leading up to Slottsfjellet, below the historic castle ruins. It was donated by the newspaper Tønsbergs Blad to mark the town's 1,100th anniversary and unveiled on 31 August 1974. Created by sculptor Britt Sørensen, the artwork depicts Princess Kristina Håkonsdatter, who lived from 1234 to 1262. Take a moment to see the sculpture before continuing up Slottsfjellet. You are standing in an area that played an important role in Norway's medieval royal history.

From Tønsberg to the Spanish royal court
Princess Kristina was the daughter of King Håkon Håkonsson and Queen Margrete Skulesdatter. During the 13th century, Tønsberg was an important royal town, and King Håkon sought to strengthen Norway's relations with other European kingdoms.
In 1257, Kristina left Norway for Castile in Spain as part of a political alliance between the two kingdoms. Her journey took her across Europe to the Castilian royal court. On 31 March 1258, she married Prince Felipe of Castile, brother of King Alfonso X. The marriage strengthened the connection between the Norwegian and Castilian royal families.
Kristina died in Seville in 1262, aged just 28.

A historic connection that lives on in Spain
Princess Kristina's story has created a lasting connection between Tønsberg and the Spanish town of Covarrubias, traditionally believed to be her burial place. In 1978, a replica of Britt Sørensen's statue was unveiled in Covarrubias. The two sculptures symbolise the historical connection between Norway and Spain. According to tradition, Kristina wished for a chapel dedicated to St Olaf in Spain. A chapel honouring the Norwegian saint was eventually inaugurated in Covarrubias in 2011, many centuries after her death. Today, Tønsberg and Covarrubias maintain a sister-city relationship inspired by this medieval connection.

Combine your visit with Slottsfjellet
The statue stands near the entrance to one of Tønsberg's most important historical areas. Continue uphill to explore the remains of Tunsberghus, the medieval royal fortress developed during the reign of King Håkon Håkonsson and his successors. At the top stands Slottsfjell Tower, one of Tønsberg's best-known landmarks. The hill offers views over the town, the fjord and the historic ruins. For a deeper insight into medieval Tønsberg and the history of Vestfold, visit the Slottsfjells Museum at the foot of the hill.

Plan your visit
The statue of Princess Kristina is located beside the route leading up to Slottsfjellet, near Baglergaten 16, 3111 Tønsberg, Norway. The sculpture stands outdoors and can be viewed throughout the year. Admission is free, and no ticket or advance booking is required. Seeing the statue takes only a few minutes, but allow more time if you plan to explore Slottsfjellet and the Slottsfjells Museum.

The route uphill has gradients and varying surfaces. Visitors requiring step-free access should check accessibility and parking arrangements before visiting. Slottsfjell Tower and the Slottsfjells Museum have separate opening hours and possible admission charges.