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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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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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Borgund Stave church

Address

6888 Borgund

Borgund Stave Church is a unique example of impressive medieval architecture and is a distinctive landmark on the tourist route to Lærdal.

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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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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.

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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.

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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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Rødven Stave Church

Address

Rødven
6350 Eidsbygda

Rødven Stave Church is beautifully situated by the Romsdalsfjord with the Romsdal Alps in the background, 34 km outside Åndalsnes center and well signposted from RV 64.

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Røldal Stave Church

Address

Røldal
5760 Røldal

The Røldal stave church was built around 1200 and is known for its crucifix, which according to legend has healing powers. The church is centrally located in Røldal and was one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Norway in the Middle…

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Røldal stave church

Address

Kyrkjevegen 34
5760 Røldal

Røldal stave church is the most important tourist attraction in the rural parts of Røldal. The church has a lot of visitors because of its special embellishments and history.

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Undredal Stave church

Address

5746 Undredal

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 Scandinavia in regular use.

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