{Read} {PDF EPUB} ~download Stave by Dan Lindholm Stave Churches in Norway by Dan Lindholm. Stave churches are an important part of Norway’s architectural heritage. Urnes in the Sognefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A stave church is a medieval wooden Christian church building. The name is derived from the buildings’ structure of post and lintel construction which is a type of timber framing, where the load-bearing posts are called stafr in Old Norse and stav in Norwegian. Two related church building types are also named for their structural elements, the post church and palisade church, but are often also called stave churches. Lom Stave Church is one of the biggest and most beautiful stave churches in Norway. It dates back to the 12th century and is still in use. The church is closed during church services. The church in Vågå is also worth a visit. In and around the Jotunheimen national park you can find a lot of interesting stave churches: 1225 – 1250 Hedalen in Valdres 1235 – 1265 Øystre Slidre in Valdres 1235 – 1265 Vestre Slidre in Valdres 1225 – 1250 Vang in Valdres 1250 – 1300 Vang in Valdres 1290 – 1320 Reinli in Valdres 1225 – 1250 Lærdal beside the Sognefjord 1150 – 1175 Luster beside the Sognefjord 1180 Sogndal beside the Sognefjord 1190 – 1225 Vik beside the Sognefjord 1210 – 1240 Lom 1100 – 1630 Vågå. Visit Stave Churches. . 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 dragons’s heads. The stavchurches are Norway’s most important contribution to world architecture and Norway’s oldest preserved timber buildings. “UNIQUE VIKING FINDS” – new permanent exhibition opening 15th of May. Presenting Viking Finds. VISITORS CENTRE – The Center offers exhibitions about the history of stave churches in Norway and their role in the Middle Ages. Restaurant, souvenir shop and quiet rom. The King’s Road across Filefjell. Borgund Stavechurch is situated at The King’s Road across Filefjell. Combine a walk on Vindhellavegen with Sverrestigen for a splendid rounddtrip !(1.5 hour . It is easy to reach Borgund stavechurch and The King’s Road across Filefjell by public transport (bus) from Lærdal. You can also rent a bike in Lærdal and bike to the church (25 km). Source: Visit Sognefjord AS. Hedalen Stave Church. The Hedalen Stave Church may be the oldest of its kind in Valdres today. It comprises an unusual amount of catholic items and among these a reliquary. Only a few of these can still be found in Norway. The church dates back to around 1163, and coins from King Sverre`s era 1177-1202 have been found under the floor. It is in use as a regular parish church. The west-facing portal features dragon and vine decorations from the late 1100s. These dragons symbolise the evil forces you leave behind before you enter the place of worship. The reliquary is the most treasured item in the church. It is made out of copper-gilded wood, and dates back to around 1250. The figures featured are Christ, St. Mary, St John, St. Jacob, St. Thomas, St. Olav and St. Peter. Norway has only a few such reliquaries left. Its original reliquary casket is still intact, and is the only one of its kind. The Hedal Madonna (sculpture of St. Mary, dating back to the mid-1200s, is one of the most stunning pieces of medieval ecclesiastical art in Norway. Source: Valdres Destinasjon. Hegge Stave Church. Hegge Stave Church was built in 1216 and still serves the local parish. A carved gate dating from the Medieval Period gives access to the church and inside original staves with carved face masks decorate the church. On one of the staves you can find a runic inscription. The runic alphabet was the written form of old Norse, the language used by the Vikings. The baptismal fountain is from the 1100s and made of soapstone, a type of metamorphic rock that was heavily used in Norway from the Stone Age and onwards. The altarpiece is from 1782 and was donated by four men from Hegge, as a way of thanking God for having saved them from a storm. While in to trade livestock, they had been caught in a storm in the mountains. They prayed to God to protect them and promised to repay God by donating the value of a cow to the local Parish if they were to return home alive. They were men of their word and paid for the altarpiece in Gudbrandsdalen and transported it home on a sledge. . Hopperstad Stave Church was built around 1130, and significantly renovated in 1877. It is considered one of the oldest stave churches still in existence. This church as endured periods of decay and went through rigorous renaissance in the 1880’s by the architect Peter Blix, brought about by cultural conservationists. The restoration was heavily inspired by similar churches such as Borgund. It is today owned by National Trust of Norway (Fortidsminneforeningen). Hopperstad Stave Church is the only church where the original narrow chancel opening is preserved. In the Middle Ages, openings with small arches were added on either side of the narrow chancel arch. Høre Stave Church. Upon the revelation of a unique runic inscription in the pulpit, describing the tale of how and why the church was built, it has been established that the church was constructed around 1179. The information in the runic inscription matches the legend of the battle of Kaøvskinnet in 1179. The story has it that King Sverre Sigurdsson came through Valdres in 1177 escaping King Magnus Erlingsson. Elling, the Kvie Lendmann (feudatory), had joined King Sverre in his fight against King Magnus and his father the Earl Erling Skakke. When Erling fell in the battle at Kalvskinnet in Nidaros (Trondheim), Elling and his brother Audun decided to build Høre Stave Church as the runic inscriptions show: "In the summer of which the brothers Elling and Audun cut (timber) to this church, Erling (fell) in Nidaros". There is reason to believe that there resided another smaller church at the site before the raising of the current one, indicated by the discovery of an old coin dating back to from around 1100. An extension was built in 1822, and today it serves the community as a regular parish church. Høre Stave Church is decorated with dragon and lion carvings from the Medieval Period, featuring two portals. The original ridge turret has been placed by the entrance of the graveyard. On the neighboring farm lived Gyda from Kvie, daughter of the petty King Eirik of Hordaland. Legend has it that she was indeed the one who encouraged Harald Hårfagre to unite Norway towards the end of the 800s. Brought up at Kvie, a manor farm in Valdres, she declined his initial marriage proposal and made him promise not to cut his hair or shave until he had united the country. When he had done what she asked, Gyda accepted his hand in marriage. Kaupanger Stave Church. Kaupanger Stave Church was the third church built on this site, and dates back to 1140. It stands out from other stave churches in Norway due to its small size and small number of posts or “staves”; it has 22 posts, is 102 square meters and can seat 165 people. It also has significantly fewer carvings and decorations on the walls. This results in a larger sense of height when one enters the church, which is why it is considered a cathedral among stave churches. The first stave church on this site was constructed between 1000 and 1050, which was right after Christianity was starting to gain ground in Norway. Christianity was brought to western Norway in the 9th century by missionaries from the British Isles, and to eastern Norway by German and Friesland ones. They were either monks, converted Vikings or bishops. Norwegian kings, especially King Olav Haraldsson, played and important role in converting the Norwegian people. His methods of conversion (harsh and violent), and his death followed by a series of supernatural events that eventually led to him being declared a saint, were some of the pivotal moments in the Christianisation process of the Norway. Towards the end of the 12th century the Christian church had a firm and stable foothold in Norway. The church is in continuous use as a parish church. The stave church and Kaupanger Manor is closely related. Archeological excavations revealed that the farm can be traced back to at least 1800 BC. What the farm looked like in the beginning is unknown. From the Iron Age, archeological traces indicate that the farm was among the bigger farms in the area. Lom Stave Church. Lom stave church is one of the biggest and most beautiful stave churches in Norway. It dates back to the 12th century and is still in use. The churches’ wooden doors and finials are beautifully carved. The decorations feature an intriguing combination of Christian motifs and what is often assumed to be pre-Christian Viking themes with animals and dragons. Lomen Stave Church. Lomen Stave Church is believed to date back to around 1192. The oldest coin found is from King Sverre`s era 1177-1202. In 1750, the church was converted and extended as it had become too small to meet the needs of an increasing population. When the new Lomen Church was completed in 1914, regular use of the stave church ended. Today, it is only used for weddings and church services during the summer season. Wooden sections dating back to the Middle Ages have been stripped down to the woodwork, but post-reformatory parts are still painted. The church, belfry and graveyard are protected. Several medieval portals featuring wood carvings and animal decorations can be found in the church. Of the soapstone font from the Middle Ages, only the base remains. A mediaeval chest leans towards the wall in the choir. It features a magic runic inscription that has almost been rubbed off. The Madonna-head on the altar is a plaster copy of the beautiful original from the 1200s. It was probably once part of a whole figure. Mary has wawy hair and a crown with four points. The original can be found at Valdres Folk Museum in Fagernes. Reinli Stave Church. Reinli Stave Church is from around 1326, and the site on which it stands had previously been home to two other churches; the first only left graves behind and the second is believed to have been burned down or demolished. Reinli is the only Stave Church in Norway to still have all 12 consecration crosses intact. Back in the day, when a church was constructed or heavily altered, a bishop had to consecrate the site to make it into a sacred place so that worship could take place. He would bless the building and anoint it with holy oil 12 times, both inside and outside the building. Each of the spots that were anointed with the sacred oil were marked with the consecration cross. These were originally painted in a red pigment, but over time the pigment has faded. In Reinli the consecration crosses have been repainted black. The altarpiece is a Medieval style triptych, painted in the 1890s and 1920s. A triptych is classic Christian art, and a typical standard for altar paintings from the Medieval Ages and onwards. It is divided into three panels physically hinged together, and connected by the images on the panels and the story they tell. This parish church is only used during summer. . Urnes Stave Church was built around 1130 and is the oldest stave church in Norway. It is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Samples from the base timbers reveal that it was felled at some point between 1129 and 1131, but the distinctive carvings on the north portal are from an older church; two previous churches stood at this site, the last is believed to have been constructed in the second half of the 11th century. Parts of this building have been integrated into the present church; a portal, exterior planks and a corner stave, decorated with superb carvings that have been designated the Urnes style. The stave churches are unique and are Norway's most important contribution to world architecture. Urnes Stave Church, which is owned by the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments, was added to the World Heritage List in 1980. Vågå Stave Church. Vågå Stave Church dedicated to Saint Peter and is from the 12th century. In 1630 it was moved from its original location to the present one and converted into a cruciform church. When constructing stave churches, materials such as wood and stone from other older buildings were reused. The building of Vågå church was no different and has many materials from a previous stave church on the same site. Archeological foundings show that even in the pagan times, this was a site of worship. Øye Stave Church. Øye Stave Church was probably built towards the end of the 1100s. its original location was in the fields facing Vangsmjøsa. This was an extremely wet area, and during the spring flooding the graves were often be filled with water and stones had to be added to the coffins in order to lower them down. The church was in a porr state of repair, and it either rotted away or was taken by the wind. 1747 saw the consecration of the new Øye Church. The stave church disappeared. In th 1930s, work had to be done on the foundations of new Øye Church. Under the church floor, Øye Stave Church was found – 156 pieces in total. No one knows why it was stored here. It was in the end decided to erect the stave church, and it was consecrated in 1965. Today Øye Stave Church is used for weddings and Midsummer Mass only. The church has a strong Catholic medieval character with a narrow opening to the choir and pews along the walls only. It features copies of two medieval portals (probably from the 1100s) with capitals and numerous animal decorations. The door has a medieval ring handle. On the altar stands a crucifix dating back to the 1200s, featuring a Christ- figure from the 1300s. The wooden baptismal font from the 1300s is quite unique, and one of the pews in the choir may be from the Middle Ages. 10 Most Beautiful Stave Churches in Norway. A stave church is a medieval church made from wood. It is usually characterized by post and lintel construction, which uses timber framing. Stave churches are concentrated in Northern Europe, and some of the most interesting and best preserved examples are located in Norway. Visitors spending time in Norway can see some of these beautiful stave churches throughout the country, most of which date from the 12th and 13th centuries. 10. Flesberg Stave Church. The Flesberg Stave Church is located in Buskerud County, and it was constructed toward the end of the 12th century. The church was renovated in a significant way in the middle of the 18th century. As a result, little of the structure is entirely original. What makes Flesberg Stave Church particularly interesting is the slate fence surrounding the building, which has iron rings attached to it. Historically, each ring belonged to a local farmer and was where he would tie his horse when in church. 9. Gol Stave Church. As the name suggests, the Gol Stave Church was originally located in Gol. Today, however, this stave church is found at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. The entire structure was to be replaced a century ago to make way for a new church, but King Oscar II decided to preserve it. The unusual design, with multiple pitched roofs, is so impressive that multiple replicas have been made. There is even one found in North Dakota, America! 8. Undredal Stave Church. In the year 1147, the Undredal Stave Church was constructed in the small village of Undredal, which is situated right on the banks of the Aurlandsfjorden. This church is one of the smallest of its kind still operating in Norway. It has just 40 seats, and the floor plan of the building is a scant 4 by 12 meters (13 by 39 feet). Like many of the medieval stave churches, Undredal has been relocated several times, often with minor changes made along the way. 7. Roldal Stave Church. Røldal Stave Church is unique in that today, it serves as both as museum and a functioning church. On two Sundays each month, parishioners gather in Røldal Stave Church for services. The rest of the time, the 13th century structure is open to the public and preserved as a museum. Inside the church, wooden sculptures dating to the 13th century depict biblical stories like the Virgin Mary with child and the Archangel Michael visiting Earth. 6. Kaupanger Stave Church. The 12th century Kaupanger Stave Church has been in continuous use for more than 800 years, which makes it a great example of local culture, history and heritage. It has a large number of staves, or weight-bearing columns, which sets it apart from other older churches in Norway. In the 19th century, there were drastic renovations to the Kaupanger Stave Church. Thankfully, however, most of these unattractive changes were undone in the 1960s, creating an image of the church that more accurately reflects its medieval origin. 5. Reinli Stave Church. The 12th century Reinli Stave Church in County is likely the third structure to have stood in that exact spot. While that isn’t unusual, what is definitely uncommon is that the previous structure was a pagan building. The Reinli Stave Church looks more traditional than some other stave churches in Norway, but it is still a wonderful glimpse into the past. In the 20th century, some renovations updated the building, adding in things like electricity, lights and heating. 4. Hopperstad Stave Church. Outside the tiny village of Vikøyri, there is the Hopperstad Stave Church. Constructed in the beginning of the 12th century, the structure is one of the oldest stave churches in Norway. By the 19th century, however, the church was abandoned. Even some of the wood siding was removed from the building. Thankfully, the church was purchased and restored. The triple nave is still an important feature, as is the altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 3. Urnes Stave Church. Surrounded by picturesque beauty, including fjords and lush green fields, stands the 12th century Urnes Stave Church. Since it is one of the earliest stave churches, it serves as a link between the Viking religions and a more Western Christianity. There is a lot of animal imagery, some of which comes from the Bible and some of which comes from Norse mythology. The church is not used for regular services, but locals still have weddings and baptisms in the unique structure. 2. Borgund Stave Church. Arguably one of the best preserved stave churches in Norway is Borgund Stave Church. Built roughly between 1180 and 1250, Borgund Stave Church has what is known as a basilica layout, and it has several tiered, overhanging roofs. Since the late 19th century, the church hasn’t been used for religious purposes, but it is now run as a museum for the public. Of particular note for visitors are the inscriptions found on the wall, which are believed to date back to the 13th century. 1. . The largest of all stave churches in Norway is Heddal Stave Church. Heddal was constructed in the beginning of the 13th century, and its origins have some unusual roots. Legend says that the entire church, an enormous structure by stave standards, was built in just three days by five local farmers. Whether or not that is true, it adds intrigue to the church. Heddal’s exterior was restored in the 19th and 20th centuries, and its interior had serious changes under Lutheran control in the 16th century. Stave Churches in Norway. 1. POLARITIES IN THE EVOLUTION OF MANKIND: West and East. Materialism and Mysticism. Book Description London & NY. 1987. Rudolf Steiner Press/ Anthroposophic Press., 1987. purple gilt lettered hardcover 8vo. (octavo). dustwrapper in protective plastic book jacket cover. very fine cond. mint cond. looks new. like new. as new. binding square & tight. covers clean. edges clean. contents free of markings. dustwrapper in fine cond. not worn or torn or price clipped (no price listed). nice clean copy. no library markings, store stamps, stickers, bookplates, no names, inking, underlining, remainder markings etc. . first english edition so stated. first printing (NAP).( note: there are errors in the ISBN listing for this item. the one in the book will come up as another volume online.) v+183p. notes. index of names. religion. theosophy. anthroposophy. secret societies. jesuitism. leninism. goetheanism. theosophical society. imperialism. holy roman empirre. hegel. tolstoy. keely. schiller. fichte. trotsky. spengler. aristotle. plato. thomas aquinas. Seller Inventory # 4152103. Norway’s Stunning Stave Churches in Pictures. Rural Norway isn't just about fjords and mountains. You'll also find a handful of simply stunning wooden churches. Simply put, stave describes the architectural style whereby the walls were constructed of upright planks, or staves. They are an instantly recognisable icon of rural Norway, so much so that they were part of the inspiration for some of the settings in the Disney movie Frozen. Many of Norway's stave churches feature a curious mix of Christian and Norse decor, capturing a moment in time when Norwegians weren't prepared to fully abandon their old gods. Just in case… Stave churches in Norway. In the Middle Ages, there were probably more than a thousand stave churches across the Norwegian countryside, and in much of northern Europe. But today, just 28 remain standing in Norway, and just a handful elsewhere. Most of the surviving stave churches in Norway were built in the years from 1150 to 1350. Stave churches older than the 1100s are known only from written sources or from archaeological excavations, but written sources are rare and those that do exist are difficult to interpret. Let's take a look at some of the best examples around the country: Urnes, Sogn og Fjordane. This UNESCO World Heritage site was built in the 12th and 13th centuries and is an outstanding example of traditional wooden architecture in Norway. It brings together traces of Celtic art, Viking traditions and Romanesque spatial structures. So, why is this one of Norway's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites? I'll let UNESCO explain. From their website: “The stave churches are representative of the highly developed tradition of wooden buildings that extended through the Western European cultural sphere during the Middle Ages.” “Urnes is one of the oldest of the Norwegian stave churches and an exceptional example of craftsmanship. It also reveals the development from earlier techniques and therefore contributes to the understanding of the development of this specific tradition.” “Urnes Stave Church is an ancient wooden building and is outstanding due to the large-scale reuse of both decorative and constructive elements originating from a stave church built about one century earlier. It is an outstanding example of the use of wood to express the language of Romanesque stone architecture.” Heddal, Vestfold & Telemark. The largest of all remaining stave churches in Norway, Heddal stave church is an impressive sight: Following a 1950s renovation, the original structure and many details have once again become visible. Both medieval decorations and the seventeenth century redecoration can be seen. You'll also hear the strange legend of the five farmers of Heddal who decided to build the church. The church is open to visitors from early May to mid-September, but opens late on Sundays (after services) and is sometimes closed on Saturdays due to weddings. Guided tours in Norwegian and English are included in the 80kr entrance fee. It's also worth checking out the nearby Heddal open air museum, open from mid-June to the end of August. Borgund, Sogn og Fjordane. Norway's most visited and arguably its most authentic stave church, Borgund stave church lies between Flåm and Jotunheimen National Park at the heart of the country. A 19th-century parish church stands immediately next door so the stave church is only open as a museum and not for services. Replicas exist in Germany and in the USA in South Dakota and Connecticut. Believed to have been built sometime between 1180 and 1250 AD with later additions and restorations, Borgund is built on a basilica plan, with reduced side aisles, and an added chancel and apse. It has tiered, overhanging roofs, topped with a tower. The roof is notable for its four dragon heads, reminiscent of those from old Viking longships. Adjacent you'll find a modern visitor centre with exhibits on the stave church’s influence on everyday medieval life in Norway, along with other stave churches and Viking artefacts. Several interesting walks also start near the church. Lom, Oppland. Located on route 15 between the E6 highway and Geiranger, Lom stave church is a popular tourist stop for those driving out to the famous Geirangerfjord. The approach to the church, sandwiched as it is between the Reinheimen and Breheimen mountains, is truly spectacular. Originally built in the 12th-century, the Lom church was expanded in the 17th-century but lots of original features remain. It is still in use as a parish church and is one of the largest examples of stave architecture in the country. If you're driving from the E6 out towards Geiranger then you'll pass right by the church, so it's a great place to plan a rest stop. Lom is also the beginning of the Sognefjellet National Scenic Route, northern Europe’s highest mountain pass with striking views around every twist and turn. Kaupanger, Sogn og Fjordane. The architecture and interior of Kaupanger's stave church is notably different from other examples in Norway. Its height is its most notable feature, along with the lack of carvings on the wall and in the interior. The church has been in continuous use as the local parish church since its construction in the 12th-century. Archeological excavations revealed that the adjacent farm can be traced back to at least 1800 BC. The church is another great option for those taking a road trip around the Sognefjord area. It is within relatively short driving distance of both Urnes and Borgund, featured above, and close to the Sogn Fjord Museum. Ringebu, Oppland. Located just off the main E6 highway in the Gudbrandsdalen valley around 50km north of Lillehammer, this large stave church has been in almost constant use since it was built in the 13th century. The building underwent substantial expansion in the 17th-century, when a new transept and tower were added, among other features. Many original parts do remain however, so this is a must-stop if you're driving from Oslo towards Trondheim, Ålesund, or the Atlantic Road. Fantoft, Bergen. Named after the suburb of Bergen in which it now stands, Fantoft isn't counted among the 28 stave churches in Norway. Not only was it moved from Fortun on the Sognefjord to Bergen in 1881, it was also destroyed by arson in 1992. The church has been reconstructed exactly as it was using traditional building techniques, so it's still worth a look if you are in Bergen and don't have the chance to make it out into the countryside. Read more about this church. These are just a few of the stave churches in Norway. Many of the lesser-known ones are still worth a visit, so I hope this article has inspired you to do so. If you've been blown away by the beauty of Norway's stave church architecture, why not share your love on Pinterest? Hit the Pinterest button for the ideal pin. About David Nikel. Originally from the UK, David now lives in Trondheim and was the original founder of Life in Norway back in 2011. He now works as a professional writer on all things Scandinavia. Stave Churches of Norway. There are many reasons why visitors come from all over the world to make Norway their ultimate vacation destination. From hiking to skiing and much more, Norway truly offers an astonishing assortment of exciting and unique activities. However, for people who consider themselves history buffs or just someone who loves to admire the beauty of old buildings, Norway has a particularly unique thing to offer them: Stave Churches! As the site of the vast majority of the world´s remaining stave churches, Norway is the destination of choice for a ton of people every year who come specifically to see the majestic architecture of these buildings. What are Stave Churches? While almost any old church is sure to be a source of astonishing architectural beauty, stave churches are especially impressive due to their very unusual design. These medieval churches are constructed using a series of posts and lintels. These types of ore pine posts are called "staver" in Norwegian, which is the reason behind why they are called stave churches. Many years ago, stave churches were an extremely common sight as there were somewhere close to 2.000 of them populating various parts of Northwestern Europe Unfortunately, in the last few centuries, these churches have begun to slowly disappear, leaving only a portion of what used to exist. Today, there are only 28 stave churches left in the world, making them more historically significant than they have ever been before. One of the reasons behind the disappearance of these churches was the occurrence of the Reformation and the spread of the Black Death. As architectural preferences changed and unprecedented amounts of people begin to perish from the Black Death, these churches fell into disrepair or were completely destroyed. Nowadays, people have realized the importance of maintaining these historical structures. The Urnes stave church has even made its way onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is because the stave churches are a way to look into the history of Norway and its Viking descendants. In fact, the majority of the stave churches located throughout Norway can be traced back to some point in the 12th or 13th centuries, making them some of the oldest buildings to remain standing in the entire country. Where to Find Norway’s Best Stave Churches? For those who wish to book some round trips to Norway in order to see the beauty of the stave churches, they first need to know where to go in order to see them. There are several different areas throughout Norway that offer the chance to experience the unparalleled wonderment of these buildings. For example, the previously mentioned Urnes stave church is the oldest out of all the surviving ones in the world. It is estimated that it was constructed somewhere around 1130 and at one point was owned by a rich Norwegian family. This is evident by the fact that it is decorated even more exquisitely than most of the other stave churches. This fact, combined with its status on the UNESCO World Heritage List, makes the Urnes stave church one of the most popular ones among visitors. It is located just north of Bergen in the Sogn og Fjordane county. From there, you can easily hop into a vehicle or hike through the beautiful Norwegian fjords in order to reach the Borgund stave church, which is also located in the Sogn og Fjordane county. Although not quite as old as the Urnes stave church, it is still very impressive considering the fact that it was first built in 1180. The magnificent church no longer hosts regular functions but is instead operated as a public museum. It is worth the journey simply to see the more than 2,000 pieces of wood that went into building the best-preserved stave church in Norway. If you are interested in seeing the largest stave church in the country, then you need to head further south to the county of Telemark. It is here that you will find Heddal stave church, which stands at an astonishing 29 meters tall, giving it an impressive appearance even from afar. Constructed at the beginning of the thirteenth century, the Heddal stave church has since undergone several reconstructions in order to maintain the large 25 meter long and 17 meter wide structure. Unlike many of the other stave churches, this one remains largely functional and regularly hosts a variety of baptisms, weddings, and other services throughout the summer months. Visiting the stave churches can be one of the best opportunities to both get a glimpse into some living history while also being able to go hiking through many of the magnificent fjords in Norway. Mullen Books. London: Rudolf Steiner Press, 1969. Hardcover. Brown cloth, illus. dust jacket, 208 pp., 110 BW photos. VG (Label & bookplate & few marks from previous art-library owner.). Item #139657 ISBN: 0854402055. Translated from the original German by Stella and Adam Bittleston. These churches "originated in the early eleventh century when King Olaf spread Christianity in Norway. . The ingenious builders of Viking ships turned to building churches for the new Christian cult, [and] they not only used their native wood, in the working of which they were masters, but into the wood carving and decoration, even into the forged metal work of the doorways, they wove the rich treasure of their mythical heritage." (dj) Intriguing. Mullen Books 121-123 Walnut Street Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717-618-0481. © 2021 Mullen Books. All rights reserved. Site Map | Site by Bibliopolis.