Lom Stave Church
Innlandet
Lom Stave Church, located in the village of Fossbergom in Innlandet, Norway, is a remarkable wooden stave church constructed around 1170. It is among the oldest Norwegian stave churches and notable for its triple nave design supported by free-standing inner columns that elevate the main nave ceiling. The church originally featured an open-air corridor and a long church layout but was later transformed into a cruciform plan during extensive 17th-century renovations led by master builder Werner Olsen. The church is distinguished by its medieval dragon head decorations on the roof, with originals preserved in a local museum. It seats approximately 350 people and remains an active parish church. Archaeological excavations have revealed remnants of an 11th-century wooden post church beneath the current structure, along with thousands of coins and graves dating back to earlier periods. The church also played a significant role in Norway's 1814 national elections as a polling station. Today, Lom Stave Church is a cultural treasure, open daily in the summer season for visitors to explore its impressive architecture and historical significance.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Lom Stave Church is during the summer season when it is open daily and guided tours are available without prior booking. Visitors are encouraged to join these tours to fully appreciate the church's architecture and history. Tickets can often be purchased on-site, and group visits are welcomed. To avoid crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience, consider visiting early in the day. The church's dark tarred exterior is a result of recent preservation efforts, so bring a camera to capture its unique appearance. Comfortable footwear is recommended due to the historic floor surfaces and surrounding grounds.
Faits intéressants
- •Lom Stave Church retains one of the few original medieval dragon head carvings on its roof, with the original now housed in a museum.
- •The church served as a polling station for Norway's first national elections in 1814.
- •Archaeological excavations discovered over 2,000 coins beneath the church floors.
- •The church was expanded in the 17th century using traditional stave construction to maintain architectural consistency.
- •Lom Stave Church can seat approximately 350 people, making it one of the largest stave churches in Norway.
Histoire
The first church at Lom was a small wooden post church built in the 11th century, with archaeological evidence uncovered beneath the current building.
Around 1160–1170, this was replaced by the present stave church, constructed with timber felled in 1157–1158.
In the 17th century, the church underwent major renovations, including removal of the open-air corridors and expansion to a cruciform plan under master builder Werner Olsen.
The church served as a polling station in the 1814 Norwegian Constituent Assembly elections, marking its role in national history.
Further restorations occurred in the 20th century, including a major archaeological excavation in 1973 that revealed numerous artifacts and graves.
Guide du lieu
Main Nave and Inner Columns1170
The triple nave design is supported by free-standing inner columns that hold up the raised ceiling section, a characteristic feature of the church's architecture.
Dragon Head Roof DecorationsMedieval period
The church features carved dragon heads on its roof, original medieval pieces replaced by copies in the 1950s to preserve them in a museum.
17th Century Cruciform Expansion1663
In 1663, master builder Werner Olsen led renovations that removed the open-air corridors and added transept wings, transforming the church's floor plan into a cruciform shape.
Sacristy on the North Side1663
Added during the 1663 renovation, the sacristy sits on the north side of the choir, serving liturgical functions.
Archaeological Excavation Site1973
In 1973, excavations beneath the church uncovered artifacts including thousands of coins and evidence of the prior 11th-century church building.
Contact
Téléphone: 48 16 55 29
