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Scandic Hotels – in all major cities from north to south
Nordic Choice Hotels – a different hotel company
Thon Hotels – with fantastic breakfast
Radisson Blu Hotels – discover your favourite destinations
Citybox – modern and affordable hotels in a central location
DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway
Norgesbooking – book your perfect cabin stay in Norway
Campcation – Book camping all across Norway with Campcation
Vy – travelling by train has never been easier
SJ NORD – the adventure starts on the train
Vy express – travel with bus throughout Norway
NOR-WAY Bussekspress – experience amazing scenery by bus
DFDS – Europe’s leading ferry operator 2012-2021
AutoEurope – always a smooth car rental experience
Rent-A-Wreck – the smart car rental alternative
Arctic Campers – Norway’s camper van rental
Nordic Campers - The only way to see Norway!
Cabin Campers – your cottage on four wheels
Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia
Hurtigruten – "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage"
Authentic Scandinavia – exciting Norway tours
Up Norway – tailored journeys
Norrøna Hvitserk – expeditions and adventure holidays
Brim Explorer – Silent fjord tours by electric catamaran
Fjord Tours – experience Norway in a nutshell® with one ticket
Fjord Travel – Sustainable multi-day tours
Go Fjords – Tours and activities all over Norway
50 Degrees North – unforgettable tailor-made and small group tours to Norway
Discover Norway – skiing, biking and hiking tours in Norway
Norwegian Holidays – low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Flight, hotel and rental car
Booknordics.com – tours and activities, safaris, cabins and adventure hotels
Stromma – sightseeing, excursions and experiences with bus, boat and train
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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.
1. Researchers 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.
Borgund Stave Church is a unique example of impressive medieval architecture and is a distinctive landmark on…
Go to: Borgund Stave churchBorgund Stave Church is a unique example of impressive medieval architecture and is a distinctive landmark on…
Charming, small stave church. Located by West Telemark Museum in Eidsborg.
Go to: Eidsborg Stave ChurchCharming, small stave church. Located by West Telemark Museum in Eidsborg.
The old stave church was built in Fortun in Sogn in 1170 and moved to Fantoft in 1883. Fantoft Stave Church…
Go to: Fantoft Stave ChurchThe old stave church was built in Fortun in Sogn in 1170 and moved to Fantoft in 1883. Fantoft Stave Church…
Flesberg stave church dating back to approximately 1150-1200, this church are famous for interior decorations.…
Go to: Flesberg stave churchFlesberg stave church dating back to approximately 1150-1200, this church are famous for interior decorations.…
Located at the top of the hill near the entrance to Maihaugen Open Air Museum, the stave church is the most…
Go to: Garmo Stave ChurchLocated at the top of the hill near the entrance to Maihaugen Open Air Museum, the stave church is the most…
Gol Stave Church, which is in the mediaval park Gordarike, is a true copy of the Gol stave church built in the…
Go to: Gol Stave ChurchGol Stave Church, which is in the mediaval park Gordarike, is a true copy of the Gol stave church built in the…
Grip Stave Church is located on Grip, a small island 14 km out to sea from Kristiansund on Nordmøre. There is…
Go to: Grip stave churchGrip Stave Church is located on Grip, a small island 14 km out to sea from Kristiansund on Nordmøre. There is…
The Hedalen Stave Church may be the oldest of its kind in Valdres today. It comprises an unusual amount of…
Go to: Hedalen Stave ChurchThe Hedalen Stave Church may be the oldest of its kind in Valdres today. It comprises an unusual amount of…
Visit the magnificent Heddal Stave church in Notodden - the largest wooden stave church in Norway.
Go to: Heddal Stave ChurchVisit the magnificent Heddal Stave church in Notodden - the largest wooden stave church in Norway.
The Hegge stave church dates back to 1216 and celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2016. The church…
Go to: Hegge Stave ChurchThe 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…
Go to: Hopperstad Stave ChurchThe richly decorated Hopperstad stave church in Vik would have been lost but for the intervention of cultural…
Høre Stave Church is rich in dragon and lion carvings from the Middle Ages, and among these are two…
Go to: Høre Stave ChurchHøre Stave Church is rich in dragon and lion carvings from the Middle Ages, and among these are two…
Its size and numbers of posts is what makes Kaupanger stave church stand out from other stave churches, as…
Go to: Kaupanger Stave Church, SogndalIts size and numbers of posts is what makes Kaupanger stave church stand out from other stave churches, as…
Experience Kvernes Stave Church in Kristiansund. This is Norway's only stave church built after the Middle…
Go to: Kvernes Stave ChurchExperience Kvernes Stave Church in Kristiansund. This is Norway's only stave church built after the Middle…
Lomskyrkja – the church in Lom - is one of the biggest and most beautiful stave churches in Norway.
Go to: Lom Stave ChurchLomskyrkja – the church in Lom - is one of the biggest and most beautiful stave churches in Norway.
Lomen Stave Church is believed to date back to around 1192. The oldest coin found is from King Sverre`s era…
Go to: Lomen Stave ChurchLomen Stave Church is believed to date back to around 1192. The oldest coin found is from King Sverre`s era…
Nore Stave Church Nore Stave Church is located in Nore and Uvdal municipality in Buskerud. Nore Stave Church…
Go to: Nore StavkirkeNore Stave Church Nore Stave Church is located in Nore and Uvdal municipality in Buskerud. Nore Stave Church…
Reinli Stave Church dates back to around 1326. Prior to this, the site has been home to two other…
Go to: Reinli Stave ChurchReinli Stave Church dates back to around 1326. Prior to this, the site has been home to two other…
Ringebu Stave Church dates back to around 1220, and is one of the country's 28 remaining buildings of its…
Go to: Ringebu Stave ChurchRingebu Stave Church dates back to around 1220, and is one of the country's 28 remaining buildings of its…
Rollag Stave Church The church is located a few kilometres north of the centre of the village Rollag. It was…
Go to: Rollag Stave churchRollag Stave Church The church is located a few kilometres north of the centre of the village Rollag. It was…
Rødven Stave Church is beautifully situated by the Romsdalsfjord with the Romsdal Alps in the background, 34…
Go to: Rødven Stave ChurchRødven Stave Church is beautifully situated by the Romsdalsfjord with the Romsdal Alps in the background, 34…
Røldal stave church is the most important tourist attraction in the rural parts of Røldal. The church has a…
Go to: Røldal stave churchRøldal stave church is the most important tourist attraction in the rural parts of Røldal. The church has a…
Ål Stave church was erected around 1170 and demolished in 1880. The stave churches are a wooden building…
Go to: The old Ål Stave Church siteÅl Stave church was erected around 1170 and demolished in 1880. The stave churches are a wooden building…
Undredal Church is built as a stave church in 1147 and was called St. Nicholas Chapel. The church has white…
Go to: Undredal Stave churchUndredal Church is built as a stave church in 1147 and was called St. Nicholas Chapel. The church has white…
Urnes Stave Church , the oldest of Norway's stave churches, is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It…
Go to: Urnes Stave ChurchUrnes Stave Church , the oldest of Norway's stave churches, is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It…
Uvdal Stave Church, as it stands today, does not have its original appearance but is a result of steady…
Go to: Uvdal Stave ChurchUvdal 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.
Discover the delicious and natural flavours of everything from cured meats, award-winning cheeses, and fresh seafood to sweet treats like berries, waffles and the world's best ciders!
Crime novels, skiing, and happy mountain cabin living under the Easter sun. When American travel blogger Silvia Lawrence moved to Norway, she discovered some unique Easter traditions.
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.
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.
See our selection of companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.
Explore Norwegian history and traditions in your own way. Filter your search and check out the offers below.
There is a reason why the Norwegians are among the happiest people on earth. Learn the noble art of “kos”, taste some weird and wonderful food, and join us during our favourite holidays. And we know you’ll want to get a closer look at those fierce Vikings!
Iconic architecture and Michelin restaurants, historic hotels, exciting street art, sculpture parks, and lush gardens. Check out our top tips for everyone who wants rich cultural experiences and fine dining on their holiday in Norway.
There has never been a more exciting time for Norwegian architecture! Bold designs and urban developments are popping up all over the country, and many of the projects reflect the powerful, often brutal contrasts in nature.
Norway’s national fortresses are cultural arenas that get visited by millions of people each year. Akershus Fortress in Oslo and Oscarsborg Fortress in Drøbak are amongst the most popular ones.
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