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Statue of Viking King Olaf.

Statue of Viking King Olaf

Field review by the editors.

Poulsbo, Washington

Probably the most historically accurate (and thus least-Hollywood heroic) Viking statue in America. King Olaf looks weather-beaten, is ill-suited under a mangy cloak and a pot helmet (with no amusing cartoon Viking horns), and teeters on a flimsy staff.

The bronze statue was dedicated in Poulsbo's waterfront park after a 1975 visit by King Olav V of Norway. Poulsbo was settled by Norwegians, calls itself "Little Norway," is laced with streets named Fjord and Rotten Herring, and decorates its downtown buildings with Norwegian flags and folk art designs.

Perhaps mindful of its sad-but-true Viking, Poulsbo erected a second, far more fantasy satisfying, 12-foot-tall Viking statue in 2012.

Statue of Viking King Olaf

Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park

Address:
King Olaf Vei, Poulsbo, WA
Directions:
Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park. North edge of downtown. Drive on Front St. NE, then turn at the Sons of Norway hall onto King Olaf Vei. Just past the hall, on the right, you'll see the water and a small grassy park; the statue is there.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

12-Foot-Tall Concrete Viking12-Foot-Tall Concrete Viking, Poulsbo, WA - < 1 mi.
Naval Undersea MuseumNaval Undersea Museum, Keyport, WA - 3 mi.
Frog RockFrog Rock, Bainbridge Island, WA - 6 mi.
In the region:
MoPOP: Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle, WA - 16 mi.

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