The Role of the Stave Church in Norwegian Architectural Heritage

Which ancient buildings show the best of Scandinavian skill from the medieval times?

Stave churches in Norway are key to its history, reflecting a unique style from the Middle Ages. In the past, over 1,000 of these churches graced Norway’s landscapes. Now, only 28 stand¹. These Wooden Churches of Norway play a big part in the country’s identity, blending Norse and Christian themes. The Urnes Stave Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a great example of their skill¹. Stave churches have survived tough times like the Black Death and the Reformation, events that wiped out many wooden buildings¹.

Introduction to Stave Churches

Stave churches are remarkable wooden buildings. They play a big role in the History of Stave Churches. Made with a special timber method, they have ‘stavers’ that support the roof. This name comes from the ‘staver.’ They were first built during the Viking Wooden Structures time. In Norway, they show off the beauty of Scandinavian Woodworking and Traditional Norwegian Artwork.

Origin and Definition

The term ‘stave church’ describes these special wooden churches. They were made using upright posts. These methods started long ago in the Viking Wooden Structures times. People then knew a lot about working with wood and making beautiful things. To keep the wood from rotting, they put the staves on stones. This is how the church in Røldal was built². Stave churches come in two main styles. Type A has a square shape and a narrow part, and it’s older, from the early 12th century. Type B is newer, from the 13th century, and looks more like a basilica with a bigger roof².

Geographic Distribution

Most stave churches are in Fjord Norway, adding to the area’s beauty. Today, there are only 28 left in the world. But, it’s said there used to be over 2,000 stave churches in Norway long ago³. Borgund Stave Church is very old and well taken care of. It’s in Lærdal and welcomes many visitors wanting to see a medieval church²⁴. Outside Norway, there are medieval stave churches in Sweden and Poland. This shows how popular this church design became².

The History of Stave Churches in Norway

Stave churches have deep roots in Norway’s history. They started being built in the early 12th century. The building continued until 1349. This special time made the stave churches become a symbol of Medieval Norway.

Medieval Roots and Development

The first stave church was built in Norway in the early 12th century. The Urnes Stave Church is the oldest one and it was built around 1130 CE⁵⁶. Over 1000 stave churches were once found all across the country⁵. But only 28 are left today. Examples of these are Borgund Stave Church and Lom Stave Church⁵⁶.

Impact of the Black Death and Reformation

The Black Death in 1349 was a turning point. It caused many stave churches to fade away⁵. Then, the Reformation in 1537 brought more changes. It affected the number of stave churches in Norway and Europe. By 1650, there were only about 270 stave churches left⁵.

Today, we can visit just 28 stave churches that are still standing⁶.

Architectural Significance of Stave Churches

Stave churches are special because they combine many cultural styles. They were made in Norway long ago. Today, about 30 of them are still standing⁷². These church buildings mix the styles of Roman, Celtic, and Viking era designs.

Structural Elements

These churches are known for using a lot of wood. They have tall staves and a unique roof. The roof has a special design with wooden boards and shingles. This shows how people built things in old Scandinavia.

Inside, the buildings have tall, free-standing posts. These help hold up the roof. The roof looks like the roofs of very old basilicas.

Influence of Viking and Celtic Traditions

Viking and Celtic styles are obvious in the church’s decorations. The Urnes Stave Church, for example, has animals carved into its walls. These carvings mix old Norse animal images with new Christian signs⁷.

The Kaupanger and Borgund churches have special designs too. These designs show different Viking and Celtic features.

Architectural Feature	Example	Notable Characteristics
Cylindrical Columns	Type B Stave Churches	Freestanding internal posts supporting the central nave
Urnes Style Carvings	Urnes Stave Church	Interlaced animal motifs, blend of Nordic and Christian symbols
Shingled Roof	Urnes Stave Church	Board-lined roof frame covered with shingles
Romanesque Structural Elements	General Stave Churches	Semi-circular arches, cubic capitals
Celtic Art Influence	Urnes Stave Church	Intricate carvings on walls and pillars
Viking Age Influence	Borgund Stave Church	Decorative dragon heads and runic inscriptions

Notable Stave Churches

Some of the 28 stave churches are very important for history and art⁷. The Urnes Stave Church is very old and shows the early wooden buildings in the north of Europe⁷. It has the famous “Urnes style” with carvings of animals on the north wall. Also, there are figurative carvings from the 12th century inside⁷. The church’s beauty mixes Viking and Christian art, showing its rich history⁷.

The Borgund Stave Church in Norway is very special and well-kept². It is praised for its strong structure and decorations which highlight medieval woodworking skills. Seen as an important place in Norway, it combines Viking art with Christian worship buildings².

Both the Borgund and Urnes churches show the blend of Viking and Christian cultures in Norway’s past². There are also other types like post churches and palisade churches². Together, they tell the story of an old time that fascinates both tourists and experts⁷.

Stave Church	Location	Notable Features
Urnes Stave Church	Urnes, Sogn og Fjordane	Oldest stave church “Urnes style” carvings 12th-century capitals Reuses elements from earlier church
Borgund Stave Church	Borgund, Lærdal	Best preserved Historic wooden architecture Popular tourist attraction Infusion of Viking techniques

Urnes Stave Church: A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Urnes Stave Church is in Vestland, Norway. It’s on a beautiful spot at Sognefjord. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979⁸. This church is known for its amazing building skills. It’s one of Norway’s oldest stave churches, dating back to the 11th century⁸⁷.

Historical Background

Urnes Stave Church was built around 1130. It shows a style of Scandinavian wooden building that was common long ago⁷⁸. Since 1881, it’s been cared for by a group called the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments. Over time, the church has been changed to meet different needs⁸⁷.

Even though it’s not used every day, special events like baptisms and weddings are still held here⁸.

Architectural Features and Decor

The church’s shape is different from others. It has a long shape with tall, round columns and half-circle arches inside⁸. Inside, the roof of the middle part is much higher than the sides. This creates a unique space⁸. The inside is filled with art. Carvings of people, animals, and leaves cover the wood⁷⁸.

Outside, the walls are decorated with special designs. They show a mix of Viking and Christian styles. One door, in particular, shows the famous “Urnes style”⁷. This style is known in many parts of Europe for its intricate carvings.

Protecting the church is very important. There are special systems to prevent fires. Since 1998, a group works to make sure the church is safe⁷. These efforts show how special this church is in history. It’s a great example of old wooden buildings mixed with Viking, Celtic, and Roman designs.

Borgund Stave Church: The Most Visited

Borgund Stave Church is a top draw in Norway, especially in the Sognefjord area⁹. It’s famous for its medieval wood design. It was built around 1180. This makes it one of Norway’s oldest churches¹⁰. Borgund is a special kind of church. It mixes a basilica shape with smaller side parts. It’s also got a chancel and apse added later. This was done between 1180 and 1250 AD⁹.

The church’s roof is like no other. It has beams that make an “X” shape high up. And its roof edges show off carved dragon heads. This shows off the art style of the time⁹. The front door, the west portal, is eye-catching. It has detailed carvings of dragons. They’re shown fighting. This shows the great skill and creativity of that era⁹.

Borgund Stave Church is crucial for keeping Norwegian churches safe. It’s part of Norway’s Cultural Heritage with the ID 83933⁹. People from all over come to see it. It’s the most visited stave church in Norway¹¹. The site is in Borgund, a beautiful village. And it’s easy to get to. You can drive from Bergen or Oslo using the E16. It takes about 3 to 4 hours¹⁰.

Inside, the church is as interesting as the outside. It has small round windows up high. These windows were meant to keep evil out. Most of the church’s stuff is gone now. But, you can still see a few things, like the old font and altar⁹. The church has twelve columns holding it up. These columns have old carvings and writing. This includes things like “Ave Maria” and old stories. They make the church’s history come alive⁹.

Borgund Stave Church shows how serious Norway is about saving its history. It’s not just a building; it’s a living memory of Norway’s past. Every year, many people come here. They come to appreciate its history and beauty¹⁰.

Type	Fee (kr)	Fee (USD)
Adult	110	$10.30
Children and students	80	$7.50
Family	250	$23.40
Groups of minimum 10 people	100	$9.35
Pensioners	100	$9.35

The Craftsmanship Behind Stave Churches

The making of stave churches shows off Norway’s old woodworking skills. It mixes old ways with beautiful designs. Workers used tall wooden poles to hold up the whole building. These churches have lasted a long time because of this smart design.

Traditional Construction Techniques

Stave churches were mostly built from the early 12th to the mid-14th century. They show how people’s building skills changed over time⁵. The key feature is the use of “staver” (staves), which are vertical posts. This idea came from an older way of building, and it got better over the years. Even the wood used in these churches, like the one in Urnes, was cut around 1130 CE. This proves how strong and lasting these buildings are⁵. The Heddal Stave Church is the biggest. It has very detailed roofs and inside decorations, showing off the best work of that time¹.

Artistic Carvings and Symbols

The carvings on stave churches carry deep meanings, mixing Viking and Christian styles. These wood carvings show stories from the Bible and from the time when Norway changed its beliefs. The Hopperstad Stave Church is known for its many carvings. They tell stories of this big change on the walls and pillars¹. Some churches also have old writings and drawings that show how people lived back then, adding to the importance of these carvings¹.

The Preservation of Stave Churches

Preserving stave churches is tough but full of big goals. They face threats like fire, climate change, and too many tourists. Today, only 28 stave churches remain out of almost 2,000 in Europe⁶. In Norway, 28 medieval treasures need detailed care⁷.

Conservation Efforts and Challenges

Keeping them safe from fire is key, especially as more people visit. The Society for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments is crucial. They make sure these old churches have the best fire protection⁷.

Climate change makes things even harder. It can harm these cultural gems. So, regular repairs and restorations are vital. Such work helps the buildings stay true to their history and last longer⁷.

Role of the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments

The Society plays a big part in saving Norway’s stave churches. It works with others since 1998 to ensure these old places last. They do everything from repairs to making sure the churches are safe⁷. This shows Norway’s strong will to keep its cultural sites and the memory of these old churches alive.

Source Links

1. https://grownuptravelguide.com/norways-stave-churches/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stave_church
3. https://32minutes.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/stave-churches/
4. https://norwaybycamper.com/norwegian-stave-churches/
5. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1609/stave-churches-norways-national-treasures/
6. https://lifesincrediblejourney.com/history-of-stave-churches-in-norway/
7. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/58/
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urnes_Stave_Church
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borgund_Stave_Church
10. https://www.campervannorway.com/blog/travel-ideas/borgund-stave-church
11. https://thehiddennorth.com/why-you-should-visit-borgund-stave-church/