It is located on the Skatval peninsula about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) northwest of the town of Stjørdalshalsen.

In autumn 962, Sigurd Håkonsson Ladejarl (the ruling Earl of Trøndelag and surrounding areas) and his party were burned to death by the Erikssønene (sons of Eric Bloodaxe), among them Harald Greyhide, while staying the night at a party at Oglo (Aglo), according to the Heimskringla by Snorri Sturlasson.

The remains of Steinvikholm Castle, built during the 1530s by Norway's last Catholic archbishop, Olav Engelbrektsson, are under restoration.

The fortress, innovative in design, played a major part as the last stronghold for Norwegian independence during the Reformation in the Danish-Norwegian union.

The islet situated at the northern coast of Skatval is also the place for the yearly outdoor midnight opera "Olav Engelbrektsson".