Discover the best top things to do in Oppland, Norway including Hedalen Stave Church, Reinli Stave Church, Chapel of Lights, Sosterkirkene, Sor-Fron Kirke, Gjovik Kirke, Lom Stave church, Garmo Stave Church, Lomen Stave Church, Biri Kirke.
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5.0 based on 6 reviews
The Hedalen Stave Church may be the oldest of its kind in Valdres today. It comprises an unusual amount of catholic items and among these a reliquary. Only a few of these can still be found in Norway.
We happen to be in the area and discovered that there was a stave church nearby. It’s beautiful and wonderful and well worth visiting. Unfortunately the interior was closed (only open in the summer) but even seeing the outside was worth the trip.
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Sosterkirkene – the Sisters Churches - on Granavollen are an impressive landmark and have a mysterious history. Two churches are placed next to each other. Their steeples have inspired the design of the Gran municipal coat-of-arms. We are still speculating why there are two churches on Granavollen. The popular explanation is that there were two sisters who disliked each other and built each her own church. But if we go back to the Middle Ages, the time at which the churches were built, it wasn’t unusual that one built two or three churches in the same vicinity. They then had different functions, for example cathedral, monastery church, or parish church. Only on Granavollen Today, it is only on Granavollen that we find two medieval churches so close together on the same churchyard here in Norway. The larger one, Nikolaikirken was probably the county church while the smaller one, Mariakirken, was the parish church.They were likely built during the 12th century. At that time, the churches were quite often given the names of saints. The larger one is named after the saint bishop Nikolaus of Bari, the patron saint of travellers. The smaller one was named Mariakirken after the mother of Jesus. A Gathering Place and a Power Centre Sosterkirkene are freely located high above the village. Granavollen has been a gathering place through centuries, both in prechristian times and in the christian era. One of the oldest finds from christian time is a rune stone from the 11th century. The burial grounds, the rune stones and written source material tell us that this has been an important religious and political power centre.
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4.5 based on 310 reviews
The Lom stave church was timber dated to 1158. The church is still in use as the main church in Lom. Inside the church you will find a large collection of paintings from the 1700s and a lot of beautiful acanthus carvings. Over time the church has been rebuilt and enlarged several times, something one can see clear traces of. When the church was restored first in the 70'ies, there was an opportunity for extensive excavations. It was made several interesting findings of pilgrimage brand, rune staves, parchment documents and the largest total of coins found in Norway of 2,245 coins.
Stave church is a church only made of wood structural elements. There are few left because they can easily burn. This one is very well kept and accessible. They also have a brochure for it that comes with the entrance ticket, which is very helpful.
4.5 based on 4 reviews
We have visited Lomen Stave Church several times before. I especially like the little path leading up to the entrance, the nice gate and the old cemetery in front. However, this was the first time we saw the interior. What a delightful visit it was. We had a knowledgeable guide that provide a lot interesting information. I was pleased to see the old carved Viking gods looking down on us from the rafters. They were often placed there as an insurance in case the new god did not work. They are only visible with a flashlight. Apparently the timber for the church was cut in 1192 or shortly thereafter. The church has gone through several expansions in the 17-1800 century as the population expanded. Tragically the Black Plague in 1350 reduced the population from 3500 to 1200. Still in the Middle Ages Valdres had 21 churches, 18 Stave churches and 3 churches in stone. This is one of the 21 Stave churches left in Norway. They are all unique and special.
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