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During the Middle Ages, immense stone cathedrals were constructed in many parts of Europe. In Norway, a similar technique was used for building in wood.
Thanks to the Vikings’ interest in boat construction and home building, the technique, and tradition of wood carving was further developed. The work culminated in the stave churches.
There are several types of stave churches, but what they all have in common are corner-posts (“staves”) and a framework of timber with wall planks standing on sills. These walls are known as stave walls, hence the name stave church.
The churches’ wooden doors and finials are beautifully carved. The decorations feature an intriguing combination of Christian motifs and what is often assumed to be pre-Christian Viking themes with animals and dragons.
Today, 28 historical stave churches remain standing. As you can see in the map below, the majority of the churches are located in the inner parts of Eastern Norway and Fjord Norway.
Built around 1180 and is dedicated to the Apostle Andrew. The church is exceptionally well preserved and is…
MoreBuilt around 1180 and is dedicated to the Apostle Andrew. The church is exceptionally well preserved and is…
Charming, small stave church. Located by West Telemark Museum in Eidsborg.
The old stave church at Fantoft, originally built in Fortun in Sogn in 1150 and moved to Fantoft in 1883,…
MoreThe old stave church at Fantoft, originally built in Fortun in Sogn in 1150 and moved to Fantoft in 1883,…
Flesberg stave church dating back to approximately 1150-1200, this church are famous for interior decorations.…
MoreFlesberg stave church dating back to approximately 1150-1200, this church are famous for interior decorations.…
Garmo stave church is at the top of the hill near the entrance to the Open Air Museum. It is the most striking…
MoreGarmo stave church is at the top of the hill near the entrance to the Open Air Museum. It is the most striking…
Gol Stave Church, which is in the mediaval park Gordarike, is a true copy of the Gol stave church built in the…
MoreGol Stave Church, which is in the mediaval park Gordarike, is a true copy of the Gol stave church built in the…
In the middle of the island, protected by houses and on the island's highest point, you will find the…
MoreIn the middle of the island, protected by houses and on the island's highest point, you will find the…
The church is built to the same dimensions and in the same architectural style as the original from ca. 1170…
MoreThe church is built to the same dimensions and in the same architectural style as the original from ca. 1170…
The Hedalen Stave Church may be the oldest of its kind in Valdres today. It comprises an unusual amount of…
MoreThe Hedalen Stave Church may be the oldest of its kind in Valdres today. It comprises an unusual amount of…
The Hegge stave church dates back to 1216 and celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2016. The church…
MoreThe Hegge stave church dates back to 1216 and celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2016. The church…
The richly decorated Hopperstad stave church in Vik would have been lost but for the intervention of cultural…
MoreThe richly decorated Hopperstad stave church in Vik would have been lost but for the intervention of cultural…
An unusual runic insription shows that Høre Stave Church dates back to around 1179. However, as…
MoreAn unusual runic insription shows that Høre Stave Church dates back to around 1179. However, as…
Its size and numbers of posts is what makes Kaupanger stave church stand out from other stave churches, as…
MoreIts size and numbers of posts is what makes Kaupanger stave church stand out from other stave churches, as…
A beautiful and special stave church. Kvernes stave church, dating from approx. 1300 AD., is one of the…
MoreA beautiful and special stave church. Kvernes stave church, dating from approx. 1300 AD., is one of the…
Lomskyrkja – the church in Lom - is one of the biggest and most beautiful stave churches in our country.…
MoreLomskyrkja – the church in Lom - is one of the biggest and most beautiful stave churches in our country.…
Lomen Stave Church is believed to date back to around 1192. The oldest coin found is from King Sverre`s era…
MoreLomen Stave Church is believed to date back to around 1192. The oldest coin found is from King Sverre`s era…
Reinli Stave Church dates back to around 1326. Prior to this, the site has been home to two other…
MoreReinli Stave Church dates back to around 1326. Prior to this, the site has been home to two other…
Christianity was introduced to Norway around 1000 AD, and in the years to follow some one thousand stave…
MoreChristianity was introduced to Norway around 1000 AD, and in the years to follow some one thousand stave…
Rollag Stave Church The church is located a few kilometres north of the centre of the village Rollag. It was…
MoreRollag Stave Church The church is located a few kilometres north of the centre of the village Rollag. It was…
The history of this church dates back to the 13th century, and a crucifix from that period is among the oldest…
MoreThe history of this church dates back to the 13th century, and a crucifix from that period is among the oldest…
The church was built between 1200 and 1250, and is famous for its healing crucifix still in the church.…
MoreThe church was built between 1200 and 1250, and is famous for its healing crucifix still in the church.…
This church built in a stave church style was completed in 1897. It belongs to the Church of England and is…
MoreThis church built in a stave church style was completed in 1897. It belongs to the Church of England and is…
Ål Stave church was erected around 1170 and demolished in 1880. The stave churches are a wooden building…
MoreÅl Stave church was erected around 1170 and demolished in 1880. The stave churches are a wooden building…
At the start, Hallingdal had seven stave churches. Today, Torpo Stave Church is the oldest and only original…
MoreAt the start, Hallingdal had seven stave churches. Today, Torpo Stave Church is the oldest and only original…
Undredal Church is built as a stave church in 1147 and was called St. Nicholas Chapel. The church has white…
MoreUndredal Church is built as a stave church in 1147 and was called St. Nicholas Chapel. The church has white…
UNESCO Urnes Stave Church , the oldest of Norway's stave churches, is included on UNESCO's World Heritage…
MoreUNESCO Urnes Stave Church , the oldest of Norway's stave churches, is included on UNESCO's World Heritage…
Uvdal Stave Church, as it stands today, does not have its original appearance but is a result of steady…
MoreUvdal Stave Church, as it stands today, does not have its original appearance but is a result of steady…
Norway has an impressive record of polar explorers, including Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen. Several modern-day explorers keep the Norwegian adventurers’ legacy alive.
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