Location: On the way to the Slottsfjellet.
As part of an alliance, Christina Haakonsdatter of Norway was betrothed to the Castilian infante Philip, brother of King Alfonso X of Castile. She travelled from Tønsberg and arrived at Las Huelgas in Burgos on Christmas Eve of 1257. Philip and Christina married in March of 1258. The couple lived in Sevilla until she died childless at the age of 28. Her body was transported to the monastery in Covarrubias, Spain where she was buried.
In 1953 a sarcophagus believed to be empty was mistakenly opened, only to reveal a woman. A scroll written in Old Norse was found with the body and revealed that it was in fact Infanta Christina. Legend has it that she wanted a wedding present in the form of a chapel in honor of St. Olav in Spain. The chapel was never built during her lifetime – but was eventually completed in 2011, 749 years after her death.
In 1978 a statue of Princess Kristina made by artist Brit Sørensen was unveiled in Covarrubias, and a copy was later erected in Tønsberg.
Tønsberg and Covarrubias have entered a friendship agreement as the result of this old connection.
The Princess Christina foundation has been established to further the work to preserve and advance the cultural and historical ties.