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Stave churches

Stave churches are considered to be among the most important examples of wooden Medieval architecture in Europe. In the Middle Ages, there were probably more than 1,000 stave churches in Norway. Today, only 28 remain, including Urnes stave church, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

A stave church is made of wood, and the construction is made out of poles ("staver" in Norwegian), hence the name. Most of the remaining stave churches in Norway were built between 1150 and 1350. In the middle ages there were similar types of churches all over North-Western Europe. In Norway there was a tradition for using wood in artwork as well as in constructions, and this lead to the development of a unique technique that the stave churches are a perfect example of. The decoration is a fascinating mix of both Christian and viking symbolism.

Due to the Black Death and the reformation, many stave churches disappeared. In 1650 there were around 270 stave churches left, and during the next 100 years 136 of them disappeared as well. Today only 28 of them remain - many in Fjord Norway.

Norway's oldest stave church is Urnes stave church in Luster in the Sognefjord area. The church from around 1130 is on the UNESCO World Heritage list and belonged to a rich family. It is richly decorated.

Borgund stave church in Lærdal (around 1180), also in the Sognefjord area, is the most visited and most photographed church. It is also the stave church that has been the best preserved, and several runic inscriptions have been found on the walls of the church.

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Røldal Stave Church

Address

Røldal
5760 Røldal

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 “Olsok” (July 6th after the Julian calendar), and the sweat has healing power. Røldal was one of the...

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Kaupanger Stave Church, Sogndal

Address

6854 Kaupanger

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 architecture is also quite different from other stave churches. There are very few carvings on walls, posts...

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Urnes Stave Church

Address

6870 Ornes

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 distinctive carvings on the north portal are from an even older church.
Samples taken from the...

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Hopperstad Stave Church

Address

6893 Vik i Sogn

The richly decorated Hopperstad stave church in Vik would have been lost but for the intervention of cultural conservationists, who managed to save it just in the nick of time. This stave church was one of the many stave churches that would have...

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Borgund Stave church

Address

6888 Borgund

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 in Norway. Some of the finest features are the lavishly carved portals and the roof carvings of...

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Rødven Stave Church

Address

Rødven
6350 Eidsbygda

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 was built in the 17th century, and restored to its present look early in the 18th century. Daily...

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Kvernes Stave Church

Address

Kvernes
6530 Averøy

A beautiful and special stave church. Kvernes stave church, dating from approx. 1300 AD., is one of the youngest of the Norwegian stave churches.
Located with a magnificent view over the Kvernes fjord and the Frei fjordtwo fjords. Inside; choir...

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Grip Stave church

Address

Grip
6501 Kristiansund N

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 stood since appr year 1300. It has ever since been a meeting point in happy times and also in sad times...

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