The wharf houses of Stavanger

It's relatively unique that Stavanger has so many seaside houses preserved in the central areas of the city. This can also be seen in cities such as Bergen and Trondheim, but the seaside houses in Stavanger differ from these because they are built differently. In Bergen and Trondheim, the buildings are timber-framed while in Stavanger they were built as half-timbered sea houses with a simple design and a different type of bracing than other half-timbered buildings (Helge Schjelderup, Stavanger Museum Yearbook 1991, "Brukshusene ved sjøen", pp. 62-64).

The row of sea houses bears witness to Stavanger's heyday when they were used in the sailing ship era, the canning industry and the herring salting era.

The owner's family home was often located at the back of the seaside houses and had access to the street behind the house. Most of the buildings are now used for offices, restaurants and apartments. The row of sea houses also houses Clarion Collection Hotel Skagen Brygge.