Ringebu Stave Church
Innlandet
Ringebu Stave Church, located in the village of Ringebu in Innlandet county, Norway, is a remarkable example of medieval wooden church architecture dating back to around 1220. Built in the traditional stave church style, it originally featured a long church design but was significantly expanded in the 17th century to a cruciform floor plan with a central tower. The church seats approximately 300 people and retains several original stave posts inside, preserving its medieval character. It is part of the Church of Norway and serves the Ringebu parish within the Diocese of Hamar. The church's interior was restored in the early 20th century to reflect its original coloring after periods of alteration. Archaeological excavations have uncovered medieval coins and remnants of an earlier post church on the site, confirming the location's long-standing religious significance. Ringebu Stave Church is the second largest stave church in Norway and one of the few preserved in the Gudbrandsdalen valley, making it a cultural and architectural treasure.
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Astuce: Visit during the spring and summer months to enjoy the church's historical exhibitions and summer concerts. Check the official website for event schedules and opening hours. Advance ticket purchase is recommended for special exhibitions and concerts. Discounts may be available for groups, seniors, and students. The church is accessible by road and is located near the village center of Ringebu.
Faits intéressants
- •Ringebu Stave Church is Norway's second largest stave church after Heddal Stave Church.
- •It served as an election church in 1814 for Norway's first national elections.
- •Archaeological excavations found about 900 medieval coins beneath the church.
- •The church retains original stave posts from the early 13th century inside its nave.
- •The 17th-century renovations added a cruciform floor plan and a central tower, altering the original design.
Histoire
The first church on the site was a wooden post church built in the 11th century, used for about 200 years before being replaced in the early 13th century by the current stave church.
Dendrochronological studies date the timber to the 1190s, indicating construction around 1220.
In the 1630s, master-builder Werner Olsen expanded the church, adding transept wings and a central tower, changing its original long church design to a cruciform plan.
The church played a role in Norway's first national elections in 1814 as a polling station.
Restoration efforts in 1921 aimed to return the interior to its medieval appearance.
Archaeological surveys in the late 20th century uncovered medieval coins and post holes from the earlier church, confirming its long history as a religious site.
Guide du lieu
Nave and Original Stave Postscirca 1220
The central part of the church retains several free-standing posts from the original 13th-century stave structure, showcasing medieval woodworking techniques.
17th Century Transept Wings and Central Towercirca 1630
Added around 1630 by master-builder Werner Olsen, these expansions transformed the church into a cruciform shape and introduced a central tower on the roof.
Interior Restoration1921
The 1921 restoration led by Ragnvald Einbu restored the church's interior coloring to reflect its medieval origins, reversing previous whitewashing.
Archaeological Site Beneath the Church1980–1981
Excavations conducted in 1980–1981 uncovered medieval coins and post holes from an earlier wooden post church, confirming the site's long religious use.
Contact
Téléphone: 61 28 43 50
