The Beauty & Mystery of Norway’s Stave Churches

I have been in awe of stave churches since my first trip to Norway during high school when my relatives took me to see Fantoft stave church near Bergen.

Fantoft Stave Church_Per Nybø – VisitNorway.com.jpg

Stave churches are not ordinary churches. These mysterious, fascinating structures are built entirely of wood, including the pegs that connect them. They date back to the Middle Ages, built between 1150 and 1350, and during that time they numbered 1000 or more! Over time, many were lost to fire, torn down to build other churches, or they deteriorated and were destroyed. There are only 28 remaining, and they are all designated preservation sites. Some are still in use today as parish churches, and it’s possible to visit or even attend a service (in Norwegian, of course!). Others are open to visitors where tours are offered by knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides.

It has been said that the stave church is Norway’s contribution to world architecture, and they are amazing examples of engineering and skilled work done by hand. It’s difficult to comprehend how these amazing structures were conceived! Their designs & sizes vary considerably, but their basic structure is universal. The foundation is made from flat stones rising above ground to protect the structure from moisture. The interior frame is wooden pillars, the “staves,” from which the church style gets its name. Horizontal support beams cross over, then more staves, which determine the height of the church. The exterior is wooden planks, with a steep roof of wooden or slate shingles. The entire structure is preserved with coats of pine tar (which has an unmistakable odor that becomes more familiar with each church you visit!)

Blueprint Gol stave church Gol_stavkirke_1883.jpg

In terms of exterior decoration, some of the churches are rather plain, while others have ornate carvings depicting vines, animals, serpents and dragons. The dragons were placed to ward off evil spirits during Pagan times. When Christianity came to Norway, either crosses replaced the dragons completely, or a combination of the dragons and crosses were used since they weren’t quite sure which to trust to ward off evil.

Beautiful iron hinges and handles adorn the doors, and some interiors include carvings and paintings.

Some have pews, which were added in later years, others still have just empty space where parishioners stood. Originally, the churches did not have windows, although windows were added to some over time, and other changes were made including additions to accommodate the growing population at those which are parish churches. 

Norway’s preservation laws are very strict, and require the use of traditional materials and methods when working on any historic building. The stave churches underwent significant repairs and reconstruction to bring them to their current condition, and all require extensive maintenance to continue the long-term preservation. This demands extensive research by those entrusted with the care of these national treasures. As the churches are restored over the years, more is understood about their construction, how they were decorated, and their age. Some of the processes have uncovered beautiful artwork and artifacts, which have also been preserved.