Stave Church, Norway
Apr 16, 2023 17:07:23 #
A stave church is a medieval wooden Christian church building once common in north-western Europe. The name derives from the building's structure of post and lintel construction, a type of timber framing where the load-bearing ore-pine posts are called stafr in Old Norse (stav in modern Norwegian). Two related church building types also named for their structural elements, the post church and palisade church, are often called 'stave churches'.
Originally much more widespread, most of the surviving stave churches are in Norway. The only remaining medieval stave churches outside Norway are those of circa 1500 Hedared stave church in Sweden and one Norwegian stave church relocated in 1842 to contemporary Karpacz in the Karkonosze mountains of Poland (at the time being a part of the Kingdom of Prussia). One other church, the Anglo-Saxon Greensted Church in England, exhibits many similarities with a stave church but is generally considered a palisade church.
Norway has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of stave churches. Before the Black Death reached Norway in 1349, there were around 1,000 stave churches across the country. As many as 2,000, if not more, were erected before the Reformation in 1537.
Only 28 have survived. They thus serve as important culture bearers and story tellers. They represent almost 1,000 years of Norwegian history, and still provide new knowledge about our shared past. Show respect and due consideration when you visit our stave churches. We want to pass them on in good condition to coming generations.
Originally much more widespread, most of the surviving stave churches are in Norway. The only remaining medieval stave churches outside Norway are those of circa 1500 Hedared stave church in Sweden and one Norwegian stave church relocated in 1842 to contemporary Karpacz in the Karkonosze mountains of Poland (at the time being a part of the Kingdom of Prussia). One other church, the Anglo-Saxon Greensted Church in England, exhibits many similarities with a stave church but is generally considered a palisade church.
Norway has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of stave churches. Before the Black Death reached Norway in 1349, there were around 1,000 stave churches across the country. As many as 2,000, if not more, were erected before the Reformation in 1537.
Only 28 have survived. They thus serve as important culture bearers and story tellers. They represent almost 1,000 years of Norwegian history, and still provide new knowledge about our shared past. Show respect and due consideration when you visit our stave churches. We want to pass them on in good condition to coming generations.
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This building was right next to the church above and is used as a replacement building.
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Apr 16, 2023 17:09:25 #
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Apr 16, 2023 18:39:57 #
Apr 17, 2023 06:07:07 #
Photolady2014 wrote:
A stave church is a medieval wooden Christian chur... (show quote)
Fantastic set of images!!!
Apr 17, 2023 06:08:58 #
Apr 17, 2023 06:42:51 #
Apr 17, 2023 06:46:01 #
Impressive images…structures…and history. Thanks for sharing all of it 
Apr 17, 2023 06:54:20 #
Photolady2014 wrote:
A stave church is a medieval wooden Christian chur... (show quote)
Two beautiful buildings Beth. I like the way you covered the first one, each shot a winner!
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Apr 17, 2023 07:02:15 #
Apr 17, 2023 07:51:17 #
Apr 17, 2023 07:51:25 #
There is a duplicate of one of these churches in Rapid City, SD. Looks just like the real thing, except of course it is not built in the old country & therefore is not original.
Apr 17, 2023 08:21:02 #
Great images and wonderful narrative about some very interesting buildings.
Apr 17, 2023 08:48:52 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
Beautiful craftsmanship in those old wooden structures! It is amazing that a structure made totally of organic material is still standing today. I’m sure the colder, drier climate has a part in that longevity.
Stan
Stan
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