Stave churches in Norway

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.

Viking handcraft

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 one thing they have in common is 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.

Heddal, Notodden.
Photo: Johan Berge / Visitnorway.com

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.

Open to the public

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.

Most of them are open to the public during the summer season, whilst others welcome travellers throughout the year.

Three facts about stave churches

1. Researches believe that there have been just under 2 000 stave churches in Norway. 28 of these are preserved.

2. Urnes Stave Church in Fjord Norway is the oldest of Norway’s stave churches. Urnes, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, was built around 1130.

3. Heddal Stave Church in Eastern Norway is the largest of the remaining churches. The building is 26 metres high, 20 metres long, and 16 metres wide.

Explore Norway’s stave churches

Featured

Remaining stave churches

Borgund Stave church

Built around 1180 and is dedicated to the Apostle Andrew. The church is exceptionally well preserved and is one of the most distinctive stave churches… Read more

Borgund Stave church

Eidsborg Stave Church

Charming, small stave church. Located by West Telemark Museum in Eidsborg. Read more

Eidsborg Stave Church

Fantoft Stave Church

The old stave church at Fantoft, originally built in Fortun in Sogn in 1150 and moved to Fantoft in 1883, burnt down on 6 June 1992. Fantoft Stave… Read more

Fantoft Stave Church

Flesberg stave church

Flesberg stave church dating back to approximately 1150-1200, this church are famous for interior decorations. Church services are still held in the… Read more

Flesberg stave church

Garmo stave church

Garmo stave church is at the top of the hill near the entrance to the Open Air Museum. It is the most striking building at the museum with its pointed… Read more

Garmo stave church

Gol Stave Church

Gol Stave Church, which is in the mediaval park Gordarike, is a true copy of the Gol stave church built in the 1200s. The copy was built in the 1980s… Read more

Gol Stave Church

Grip Stave church

In the middle of the island, protected by houses and on the island's highest point, you will find the little red stave church, standing as it has… Read more

Grip Stave church

Haltdalen new stave church (millennium site)

The church is built to the same dimensions and in the same architectural style as the original from ca. 1170 that is now housed in Trøndelag… Read more

Haltdalen new stave church (millennium site)

Hedalen Stave Church

The Hedalen Stave Church may be the oldest of its kind in Valdres today. It comprises an unusual amount of catholic items and among these a reliquary.… Read more

Hedalen Stave Church

Heddal Stave Church

Visit Heddal Stavkirke - the largest stave church in Norway. Read more

Heddal Stave Church

Hegge Stave Church

The Hegge stave church dates back to 1216 and is celebrating its 800th anniversary this year! The church is still in use as a parish church in the… Read more

Hegge Stave Church

Hopperstad Stave Church

The richly decorated Hopperstad stave church in Vik would have been lost but for the intervention of cultural conservationists, who managed to save it… Read more

Hopperstad Stave Church

Høre Stave Church

An unusual runic insription shows that Høre Stave Church dates back to around 1179. However, as the oldest coin found under the church… Read more

Høre Stave Church

Kaupanger Stave Church, Sogndal

Its size and numbers of posts is what makes Kaupanger stave church stand out from other stave churches, as well as its interior. The church… Read more

Kaupanger Stave Church, Sogndal

Kvernes Stave Church

A beautiful and special stave church. Kvernes stave church, dating from approx. 1300 AD., is one of the youngest of the Norwegian stave churches.… Read more

Kvernes Stave Church

Lom Stave Church

Lomskyrkja – the church in Lom - is one of the biggest and most beautiful stave churches in our country. The impressive church dates back to… Read more

Lom Stave Church

Lomen Stave Church

Lomen Stave Church is believed to date back to around 1192. The oldest coin found is from King Sverre`s era 1177-1202. In 1750, the church was… Read more

Lomen Stave Church

Reinli Stave Church

Reinli Stave Church dates back to around 1326, but prior to this the site has been home to two other churches. The only remains left of the first… Read more

Reinli Stave Church

Ringebu Stave Church

Christianity was introduced to Norway around 1000 AD, and in the years to follow some one thousand stave churches were built. Ringebu Stave Church… Read more

Ringebu Stave Church

Rollag Stave church

Rollag Stave Church The church is located a few kilometres north of the centre of the village Rollag. It was probably originally built in second half… Read more

Rollag Stave church

Rødven Stave Church

The history of this church dates back to the 13th century, and a crucifix from that period is among the oldest furnishings. A new chancel and sacristy… Read more

Rødven Stave Church

Røldal Stave Church

The church was built between 1200 and 1250, and is famous for its healing crucifix still in the church. According to legend it sweats once a year on… Read more

Røldal Stave Church

St. Olaf's Church - The English Church

This church built in a stave church style was completed in 1897. It belongs to the Church of England and is under the spiritual administration of the… Read more

St. Olaf's Church - The English Church

The old Ål Stave Church site

Ål Stave church was erected around 1170 and demolished in 1880. The stave churches are a wooden building with a carrying construction of poles.… Read more

The old Ål Stave Church site

Torpo Stave Church Ål in Hallingdal

At the start, Hallingdal had seven stave churches. Today, Torpo Stave Church is the oldest and only original stave church left in Hallingdal. It is… Read more

Torpo Stave Church Ål in Hallingdal

Undredal Stave church

Undredal Church is built as a stave church in 1147 and was called St. Nicholas Chapel. The church has white clapboard sidings and is the smallest in… Read more

Undredal Stave church

Urnes Stave Church

UNESCO Urnes Stave Church , the oldest of Norway's stave churches, is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It was built around 1130 AD, but the… Read more

Urnes Stave Church

Uvdal Stave Church

Uvdal Stave Church, as it stands today, does not have its original appearance but is a result of steady expansion and modifications until the 1800s.… Read more

Uvdal Stave Church

Ål Stave Church Museum

The Ål Stave Church dated from the latter part of the 12th century was richly decorated at the time of its demolition in 1880. The main doorway… Read more

Ål Stave Church Museum

Øye Stave Church

Øye Stave Church was probably built towards the end of the 1100s. its original location was in the fields facing Vangsmjøsa. This was an… Read more

Øye Stave Church

Click to activate

Show Map

Show Details

Click to activate

Statens Kartverk, Geovekst og kommuner - Geodata AS

Three facts about stave churches

1. Researches believe that there have been just under 2 000 stave churches in Norway. 28 of these are preserved.

2. Urnes Stave Church in Fjord Norway is the oldest of Norway’s stave churches. Urnes, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, was built around 1130.

3. Heddal Stave Church in Eastern Norway is the largest of the remaining churches. The building is 26 metres high, 20 metres long, and 16 metres wide.

Travellers’ own pictures

Only in Norway

Polar explorers

Norway has an impressive record of polar explorers, including Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen. Several modern-day explorers keep the Norwegian adventurers’ legacy alive.

Discover
Video

The Norwegian cuisine

Local quality grains and vegetables, lamb and cured meats, wild berries, and of course the all-important fish are staples of the Norwegian kitchen.

Discover
Christmas

A traditional Norwegian Christmas lasts more than a few days: it’s a whole season with specific rituals and preparations. The snow that covers most of the country and the dark nights add a magical touch to the holiday spirit.

Discover
Easter

Crime novels by Jo Nesbø, country cross skiing and happy mountain cabin life under the Easter sun. When American outdoor blogger Silvia Lawrence moved to Norway she discovered a different Easter.

Discover
Norway’s national day 17 May

Children’s parades, marching bands, traditional costumes, and ice cream. A lot of ice cream. The celebration of the Norwegian Constitution Day is a party like no other.

Discover
Viking culture, people and history

The Vikings have earned their place in history as a seafaring warrior culture with a fine eye for design and a good ear for storytelling.

Discover

Take a walk down history lane

Explore Norwegian history and traditions in your own way. Filter your search and check out the offers below.

Your Recently Viewed Pages

Places to go

Cities and places

Things to do

Plan your trip

Stave churches