I have always been fascinated by the cultural history and architectural heritage of Stave churches in Norway. Their distinct dark, multi-tiered silhouettes with Viking dragon heads make them a landmark easy to spot. Built in the 1100s, the churches provided a bridge between Norse Gods and Christianity in Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
Drawing from the Viking era, the dragon motif on Viking ships symbolized protection from harm. Originally built without windows to keep out evil, candles provided light. Later, two windows were added to the top to let in some outside light. A few have several windows added, as shown at both the Urnes and Lom sites.
Archaeologists believe most of the church structures were built on top of sacred Norse grounds. Unfortunately, pre-Christian structures of worship did not survive to provide an exact comparison for the evolution of the church’s design.
Every Stave church is unique, and no two are alike, but restorations have borrowed elements from each. During my recent month-long road trip adventure in Norway, I stopped at three of the 28 remaining remarkable Stave churches.
If you are interested in this story, check out The rich cultural heritage of Avaldsnes, Norway’s oldest Royal seat, Viking Farm and St. Olav’s Church, Explore the medieval ruins of Lyse Abbey Norway, and Visit Alvøen, Norway’s oldest industrial community
Significant Cultural Heritage of Norway
Authentic cultural heritage must be preserved by using the same true methods known to restore these historic buildings as were used in the past, or this knowledge and craftsmanship will be lost forever.
The Tar
The outside of the church needs to be painted with pine tar every four years to preserve and protect it from deterioration from weather and insects. The tar is produced using authentic techniques that have been used for thousands of years.
After a pine tree is felled and the bark removed, the pine wood is placed in a pit and set on fire. The pit is covered with dirt for five to seven days to carbonize using extreme heat created by burning it.
Pine tar is the end product of this process. The tar is then mixed with charcoal, and bull’s blood is added to create its stickiness. The charcoal is added for longer durability. Pine tar was also used for Viking ships due to its waterproofing abilities.
It’s important to note that some churches now use more modern methods to process tar, such as dry distillation of pine wood in a kiln.
The Stave Poles
Pine poles come from local woods in the area. These poles are known as “staves,” and they gave the church its name.
Preparing a pine pole for use takes several years. The tree’s height is important during the selection process, as the finished product must be around eight meters tall. The tree top is cut off, and the bark is removed. The tree is then left standing for two to three years to dry.
Church size matters
The size of the church was determined by its use. Worship during the Middle Ages was different in Norway. People stood or knelt on the floor to worship. There was no need for benches until after the Reformation.
Christianity comes to Norway
In 1050, Christianity came to Norway. Catholic churches needed to transition and coax people away from the Viking Age’s pagan worship into Christianity. Using familiar Norse symbols like dragon heads, serpents, and others was a way of mixing the two religions and making the atmosphere more comfortable and inviting.
How many Stave churches are there?
Today, only 28 Stave churches remain of the nearly 2,000 built across Europe before the Reformation in 1537.
What is the Reformation?
During the 16th century, there was a major religious revolution. Norway broke away from the Catholic Church and converted to Lutheranism when Christian III, King of Denmark and Norway, made it the official religion of the region.
Learn more about the Viking Age.
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Hopperstad Stave Church
Stepping through the elaborately carved door or portal, as it’s called, into the dimly lit Hopperstade Stave Church in the village of Vikøyri in Vestland county, I was immediately hit by the pungent aroma of tarred wood—almost the same smell you would experience walking along railroad ties or underneath a wooden pier.
This fine church is almost 900 years old. It was built in 1130 and is one of the oldest remaining Stave churches. Researchers say there were more than 1,300 Stave churches at one time, but today, only 28 exist.
In the late 1800s, the Hopperstade Stave church was set to be destroyed because the wood, especially on the outside, was deteriorating.
A Norwegian architect and engineer named Peter Andreas Blix rescued the church after buying it for 600 Norwegian kroner, equivalent to about $75.43 (CAD) today. Today, Fortidsminneforeningen (the Historical Preservation Society) owns all these churches in Norway.
Blix, a devoted conservationist, spent two summers restoring the church by hand. Some design elements were borrowed from other surviving churches, such as Borgund.
A knowledge guide stood inside the church, providing its history and pointing out original parts of the restoration. All staves and the southern wall are authentic and have survived the test of time because the entire church is built on a stone base, keeping the base out of the ground.
The beautiful church canopy from 1300 is in its original state. The paintings are all true to colour and do not fade because of the darkness inside the church. It is the only one of its kind in the world.
Hopperstad Stave Church in the village of Vikøyri in Vik Vestland county. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Outside Hopperstad Stave Church. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
The unique, well-preserved canopy inside Hopperstad Stave Church. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Viking Age carvings around the portal at Hopperstad Stave Church and the canopy. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Borgund Stave Church
Borgund Stave Church was built around 1180 and is located along Kings Road, a historic 100-km cultural walking path between Lærdal and Vang.
The Visitor’s Centre opposite the entrance to Borgund church provides a history of Norwegian stave churches.
A replica of the Borgund Church, built in 1969, is located in Rapid Falls, South Dakota, USA. The Chapel in the Hills welcomes visitors.
Borgund Stave Church in Lærdal Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. Photo: Canva
Urnes Stave Church is the oldest Stave Church
A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, Urnes Stave Church is located in Luster’s countryside in the stunning Songefjord region.
Built from timbers dating 1129-1130, this church is the third stave to be built at this location. The carvings around the portal on the north side date from a previous church.
Urnes Stave Church is one of the oldest churches in Norway. Photo: Canva
Lom Stave Church
Built in the 12th century, Lom Stave Church is said to be the most visited and photographed stave church in Norway. Like Urnes, it is also in the Songefjord area at Lærdal. Due to its location in Lom, it became a very well used church by locals, pilgrims and travellers along the east-west route through Norway. In the 16th century, the church underwent its first renovation because it had become too small.
Inside the church is a large collection of paintings by Eggert Munch, a relative of Edvard Munch, the world-famous artist.
The church was closed when we visited, but it is usually open to visitors during regular summer hours. Now that I think back, we visited after hours, but it is hard to tell what time it really is when you are in the land of the midnight sun.
Tours are available of this church.
Lom Stave Church in the village of Fossbergom in northern Gudbrandsdal district. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
The Heddal is the largest stave church in the world
Heddal Stave Church, originally built in the 13th century, is the largest of its kind in Norway. A legend says the church was erected in three days. Some of the materials found in the construction of the church date to the 10th century during the Viking Age. Much of the inside of the church has been restored to the Middle Ages. This church has four entrance portals surrounded by intricate Viking carvings. Benches were added to the interior in the 17th century.
Heddal is an active community parish surrounded by peaceful farmlands in the Notodden Municipality in Telemark. The church is open for tours.
Heddal Stave Church is located in Notodden Municipality in Telemark . Photo: Canva
Where to find Stave churches in Europe
Stave Church in Poland
Vang Stave Church, or Wang Stave Church as it is known in Poland
But the world’s most visited Stave church is not in Norway! This beautiful Stave church is the only one found in Poland. The Vang Stave Church was moved from Norway’s Valdres region to Karpacz, Poland, in 1842.
Norway’s first professor of art history, Johan Christian Clausen Dahl, an artist from Bergen, bought the church at auction. Dahl was also a founder of the Historical Preservation Society. He saw the significance of this amazing structure and transported it to Berlin, Germany, after he convinced the King of Prussia to fund the project.
A year later, the King moved it to its present location in Karpacz, where the parish there has cherished this house of worship ever since. I reached out to the church for photographs of the inside of the Wang church to share its beauty here. I am very thankful to Edwin Pech, who kindly shared his wonderful photographs with permission. For more information about the historic Wang Church and if you are so inclined, make a donation.
Outside Wang (Vang) Stave church by photographer Edwin Pech©
Intricate Viking Age carvings inside Wang (Vang) Stave church by photographer Edwin Pech©
Intricate Viking Age pole carvings nside Wang Stave church by photographer Edwin Pech©
Intricate Viking Age carvings surround a portal inside Wang (Vang) Stave church by photographer Edwin Pech©
Inside Wang Stave church by photographer Edwin Pech©
Vang Stave Church in Germany. Photo: Canva
Stave Church in Germany
The Lutheran Gustav Adolf Stave Church is a magnificent copy of a Stave church in Norway. Constructed over 10 months, the building started in 1907 in Hahnenklee, a borough of Goslar in the Harz mountains, Germany.
Architect Karl Mohrmann took the best of Norway’s Stave churches and adapted the design to meet the needs of Hahnenklee’s congregation. It’s larger than most Stave churches, with benches for 240 worshipers. It’s also brighter, with lots of windows added.
The construction uses spruce wood instead of pine and utilizes Viking ship-building techniques, along with brilliant craftsmen and carvers.
Gustav Adolf Stave Church is a Lutheran in Hahnenklee, a borough of Goslar in the Harz mountains, Germany. Photo: Canva
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About the Author:
Wendy Nordvik-Carr is a highly regarded travel writer who produces quality, well-researched articles with stunning photography and video.
She seeks out authentic experiences showcasing the people, culture and history that make each destination unique. Her focus is on solo, couple and multigenerational travel through cruising, air and road trip adventures.
Wendy is the editor & writer for LifesIncredibleJourney.com, an award-winning travel site that encourages exploration of destinations near & far.
She is a TMAC Director, Chair, National Governance Committee and Chair of TMAC's BC & Yukon Chapter, as well as a member of SATW, IFWTWA and NATJA.
Rapid City ,SD has a Stave Church replica— well worth visiting!
Thank you Marlene for adding this interesting information. I have added it to the article.
i will be adding this to my travel list.. will visit it soons
The architecture of these churches is both unusual and magnificent. So interesting how they served as a sort of bridge between the traditional Viking religions and Christianity. Fascinating post!!!
Thank you. I appreciate you stopping by to read it and taking the time to comment. I hope you will get a chance to check out my story about the Viking Farm and the first Royal seat at Avaldsnes.
Fascinating stuff! The design and structure of these churches makes it really unique. Just a pity there’s so a few left across Europe.
It’s sad to know that the Fantoft Stave Church in Bergen was destroyed by an arsonist in 1992. It has since been rebuilt.
I have never seen churches like these! They are super unique and I can’t wait to visit!
The intricate design on the exterior and interior of the Stave churches looks very gothic. But the historical background of the churches you presented explains why. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading. It’s fascinating to see the intricate carving from Norse times.