Christina of Norway, Infanta of Castile - Legacy of Saga

Legacy of Saga

The cities of Tønsberg and Covarrubias have entered a friendship agreement as the result of this old connection. In 1978 a statue of Infanta Christina by artist Brit Sørensen was unveiled in Covarrubias and a copy was later placed in Tønsberg. The Princess Christina Foundation has been established to further the work to preserve and advance the cultural and historical ties.

Tradition states that Christina had desired for a church to be built in Spain dedicated to St Olaf. "A modernized version of the simple pre-Roman church" has been built in Covarrubias, Spain. "Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have financed close to 40% of the total cost of the project. Local Spanish authorities as well as several Spanish and Norwegian companies are among the other contributors." 750 years later, a church was constructed and consecrated to Olav the Holy on 18 September 2011 in Covarrubias. Representatives from both Spain and Norway were present at the opening, as well as more than 1300 spectators. For several years now the area of Covarrubias has become a pilgrimage of sorts for visitors from Norway to visit the final resting place of a Norwegian daughter.