This fantastic post is written by Pål Bjarne Johansen from Travel Norway
What is a Stave Church?
Most of the churches that were built in the medieval ages in Norway were stave churches. There are several different types, but common to all of them is that they have a skeleton or framework of timber with wall planks. These walls are known as stave walls. The timber framing/skeleton consists of load-bearing ore-pine posts, and were called stafr in Old Norse (stav in modern Norwegian), and from here comes the name Stavkirke (Stave church).
The first stave churches were mostly built with a quadrangular ground plan, but later on it became more normal with a central nave between two rows of columns and aisles on both sides.
Many believe that the stave churches were an adoption of the old heathen temples to Christian requirements, and connected with earlier Norse building techniques and traditions. The decorative animal motifs that are often found on this churches is connected with pre-Christian art. Many of these motifs were later replaced with Roman motifs.
In the 1100s in Norway, there were probably around 750 stave churches standing. Today only about 30 remain, but it is still almost unbelievable that even that many have been preserved. After all, we are talking wooden structures from the 1100-1300s.
Gol Stave Church
Undredal Stave Church
Røldal Stave Church
Røldal Stave Church is most likely from the early 13th century. The chancel and nave were decorated in the 1600s. The medieval crucifix at the altar, was said to have healing powers, and annual pilgrimages continued far into Protestant times. In 1844 some construction work was done on the church, and it was discovered that it might be constructed differently than a stave church. Still today, many would claim it is actually not a stave church, but built as its predecessor the Post church. Never the less, it’s a beautiful church.Save on: Google Maps or Tripadvisor
Kaupanger Stave Church
Reinli Stave Church
Urnes Stave Church
Urnes Stave Church is probably the oldest one in Norway, built in the early 1100s. It was partly built with materials from another church, such as the richly carved North portal. This kind of carving is known as the Urnes style and dates these elements back to around 1050. A Roman crucifix hangs above the arch of the chancel, and the interior column heads are richly decorated. The location is stunning, just next to the Lusterfjorden. Save on: Google Maps or Tripadvisor
Lom Stave Church
Ringebu Stave Church
Ringebu Stave Church was built at the end of the 1100s, and rebuilt into a cruciform church around 1630. After archaeological surveys of the ground under the church they found over 900 old coins from medieval times, mostly around 1217-1263. The church seats around 300 people.Save on: Google Maps or Tripadvisor
Borgund Stave Church
Heddal Stave Church
Heddal Stave Church is the biggest one in Norway, and probably dates back to the 1250s. It’s triple naved with an apse surrounded by a covered ambulatory. The church is famous for its carved portals with floral, animal motifs and human shapes.
