SELJA ISLAND, NORWAY.

The article discusses the island of Selja in Norway, which is believed to be the birthplace of Norwegian Christianity and the location where Queen Sunniva, a tenth-century Irish Christian martyr, perished. The legend states that Sunniva and her companions sought refuge in a cave on Selja, where they were attacked and killed by Norsemen. Later, King Olaf Tryggvason and his bishop found what they believed to be Sunniva's bones and built Norway's first Christian sanctuary. The article also explores the possible existence of the Seljumenn, who may have been Irish monks or missionaries. The ruins of Saint Sunniva Church on Selja are being conserved, and visitors can explore the monastery's stone ruins and climb its tower. The article suggests taking a ferry to nearby Kinn to see another cave and medieval church associated with Sunniva. Additionally, the coastal town of Ålesund, known for its art nouveau architecture, is a three-hour drive north of Selje. [Extracted from the article]