Sacred Sea Cliff

Finnkirka was an ancient sacrificial site for fishermen, seafarers and the Sami. Sailors along the coast feared the stretch of sea past Nordkyn.

Finnkirka ("The Finn Church")

On the sea approach to Kjøllefjord is the distinctive Finnkirka rock formation. On their eastward journey, seafarers sailed as far as the sea cliff Altertavla on the eastern side of the fjord and made an offering for a safe onward journey. On the return voyage, they sailed to Finnkirka on the western side of the fjord and gave an offering of thanks for surviving the voyage round Nordkyn.

The two rock formations are mentioned in old sources as a Sami sacrificial site and sacred sea cliff.  Finnkirka is listed by The Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Norway (Riksantikvaren) as a Sami cultural monument.

Getting a closer look

Finnkirka is clearly visible from Kjøllefjord and the surrounding mountains, and consists of two large sections. If you sail with the Hurtigruten coast liner, the ship passes close to Finnkirka on both approach and departure.

A marked hiking trail offering spectacular viewing points leads out over the plateau above Finnkirka. The trail is of moderate difficulty and the hike takes about two hours, starting from Snattvika on the outskirts of Kjøllefjord.

If you want to see the cliffs up close, you need to go there by boat.