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Urnes Stave Church

Urnes Stave Church

© Simon Breth

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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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  1. Averøy

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    Averøy

    Address

    Bruhagen
    6530 Averøy

    Averøy, an island situated at the entry of the Atlantic Ocean Road. This unique highway brings you out where the mainland ends and the great ocean begins. Neighbouring counties are: Eide, Gjemnes, Kristiansund and Frei.

    Communication:
    The tunnel…

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  2. Borgund Stave church

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 418 reviews418 reviews

    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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    • Stiftelsen Miljøfyrtårn Eco-Lighthouse

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    Awards

    • Stiftelsen Miljøfyrtårn Eco-Lighthouse
  3. Grip Stave Church

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 49 reviews49 reviews

    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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  4. Hopperstad Stave Church

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 93 reviews93 reviews

    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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  5. Kaupanger Stave Church, Sogndal

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 112 reviews112 reviews

    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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  6. Kvernes stave church (dating 1300) Atlantic road

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 53 reviews53 reviews

    Kvernes Stave Church

    Address

    Stavkirkeveien 46
    6530 Averøy

    A beautiful and special stave church. New research in 2020 discovered the true age of Kvernes Stave Church, it was built in the period 1631 – 33, and not in the 13th century! This makes Kvernes unique: Norways only stave church built after the…

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  7. Rødven Stave Church

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 16 reviews16 reviews

    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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  8. Røldal Stave Church

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 74 reviews74 reviews

    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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  9. Urnes Stave Church

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 165 reviews165 reviews

    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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