Inhabiting a wooden city, the residents of Stavanger lived in constant fear of fire. So, from 1850 to 1853, they constructed this historic tower, Valbergtarnet, with a panoramic sweep over Stavanger and its harbor. A guard was stationed here 24 hours a day to be on the lookout for a fire. Today the site is visited mainly for its panoramic view, one of the most memorable cityscape vistas in southwestern Norway. But a small museum, Vektermuseet, has been installed here as well. The watchman's museum focuses on the guard's duties and the watchman as a symbol of safety.