The Preikestolen is one Norway's most spectacular places. It rises 604 metres above the Lysefjord.
The mountain plateau of about 25 x 25 metres was most probably shaped by the expansion of ice some 10 000 years ago. Water that froze broke loose large edged blocks of stone that the ice glacier brought along on its course. Its shape looks like it has been carved out with a knife. The angular pattern of the fissure is evidently visible when looking at the plateau from above.
In the old days, the name of the plateau was Hyvlatånnå (planed tooth), and was already then well known as a landmark for fjord travellers in the Lysefjord. It was not until around 1900, that the first tourist travelled to the top and Preikestolen as a touristic destination was discovered.
