Kaupanger Stave Church
Sogn og Fjordane
Kaupanger Stave Church is a remarkable medieval wooden church located in the village of Kaupanger on the northern shore of Sognefjorden, Norway. Constructed around 1140, it is the largest stave church in Vestland county and one of the oldest surviving wooden churches in the country. The church features a distinctive architectural style supported by 22 staves, the highest number found in any stave church, creating a striking interior structure. Over the centuries, the church has undergone several expansions and restorations, including a significant enlargement in the 13th century and a major restoration in the mid-20th century that reversed earlier modernizations. The church remains an active parish church within the Church of Norway and is a protected Norwegian Cultural Heritage Site managed by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments. Its interior contains historical furnishings such as a 17th-century pulpit, altarpiece, and baptismal font. Kaupanger was historically a medieval market town, and the church reflects the region's rich religious and cultural history. The church’s wooden construction, medieval artistry, and continuous use make it a unique and inspiring destination for visitors interested in Norway’s ecclesiastical and architectural heritage.
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Astuce: Visitors should consider touring Kaupanger Stave Church during the summer months when daylight hours are longest, enhancing the viewing experience of its intricate wooden details. It is advisable to check opening hours in advance via the parish's official website or by phone. Booking guided tours ahead of time can enrich the visit with historical context. Discounts may be available for groups, seniors, and students. The church is accessible via national road 5, and visitors are encouraged to respect the site's religious functions during services.
Faits intéressants
- •Kaupanger Stave Church has the largest number of staves (22) of any stave church in Norway.
- •Dendrochronological research dates the timber used in construction to 1137, making it one of Norway's oldest stave churches.
- •Composer Arne Nordheim was inspired by the church's medieval bells and neumes to compose the work 'Klokkesong' in 1984, performed inside the church.
- •The church’s pulpit, altarpiece, and baptismal font date back to the early 17th century (1620s-1630s).
- •The church was built on the site of a medieval market town (kaupang), which was burned down by King Sverre in 1184.
Histoire
The first church at Kaupanger was likely built in the mid-11th century, initially a simple wooden stave structure.
The current church was constructed around 1140 after the previous building burned down, possibly before the burning of the market town by King Sverre in 1184.
In the 13th century, the church was expanded westward, increasing the nave's length.
The choir was renovated in 1625, and the surrounding covered corridor was removed.
A significant modernization in 1862 altered the church's exterior and interior, adding new windows and paneling, but these changes were largely reversed during a restoration in 1959–1960 to restore its 17th-century appearance.
The church has been in continuous use for over 800 years and remains a vital part of the local community and Norway's cultural heritage.
Guide du lieu
Nave and Stavesc. 1140
The nave is supported by 22 large wooden staves, arranged with eight on each long side and three on each short side, creating the church's distinctive structural framework. This is the largest number of staves found in any stave church, giving the interior a unique medieval wooden architecture character.
Chancel and Choir1625 (renovation)
The elevated chancel is supported by four free-standing staves and was renovated and enlarged in 1625. It features historical furnishings including the pulpit, altarpiece, and baptismal font dating from the 17th century, reflecting the church's continuous liturgical use and artistic heritage.
Exterior and Restoration1862 (modernization), 1959-1960 (restoration)
The church's exterior has undergone several changes, including a 'brutal modernization' in 1862 that added white paneling and new windows, which was later reversed in a 1959–1960 restoration to restore its historic wooden appearance. The original shingle roof was replaced with dark tiles during modernization but restored later.
Contact
Téléphone: 57 67 99 85
