Top 10 Churches & Cathedrals in Rogaland, Western Norway

The church' mediaeval section dates back to around the year 1250. Originally a rectangular, long church with a nave and chancel of same widths. The oldest section has four corners made of steatite, a lavishly ornamented west portal, a Christening font and Communion table all made of steatite. On 13 November 1991 the church was razed to the ground, but it was rebuilt and consecrated again on 5 June 1995.

Gand Church is a large church that for many people looks like a ski jump, situated at the top of Sandved in Sandnes. When the church was completed just over 25 years ago, its symbolic architecture was considered extremely innovative. The church is known locally as the Jaeren cathedral.

By Rv507 at Orre is Orre old church, built of stone in the middle of the 13th century.

Naerbo church was completed in 2005, designed by architect Gunnar Fossen. It is decorated by one of Norway's foremost artists, Gunnar Torvund. Christian symbols, such as the fish and lamb, are embedded into the floor itself. At the front of the spacious church stands Torvund's striking altarpiece. Three intense blue slabs, and a lush garden that echoes the ornamentation of Norwegian folk art, rise from a rock dug up from Jaeren. Suspended above are symbols, some Christian, others universal - and in their midst hangs a Christ figure. Light pours in through a window behind and above the towering altarpiece, completing it as though it were a heavenly ladder.

According to tradition the cathedral was built in the year 1125, after Sigurd Jorsalfarer named Stavanger as a cathedral city. Bishop Reinald of Winchester was responsible for its construction. The church was built in Anglo-Norman style, probably by English craftsmen. The church' patron saint is St. Svithun, and it is reputed that his arm was one of the church' original relics. In 1272 the cathedral was damaged by fire, after which it received a new chancel built in the Gothic style. Stavanger Cathedral is the only Norwegian cathedral from the Middle Ages that has retained its original appearance and been in constant use. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am-7pm, June-Aug. Tue-Thurs and Sat 11am-4pm, Sept-May, closed Mon and Fri. High Mass every Sunday at 11am. Morning Mass in the Bishop's Chapel every Wednesday at 8am Thursdays 11.15-11.45. Thursday Mass.

Nedstrand Church was built in 1868. In 1829 architect Linstow made a standard design for Norwegian churches. Nedstrand church is built mainly after his design but architect Conrad Fredrik von der Lippe did not follow this rigidly. He gave the building a stave church inspired choir which makes the interior warmer and more spacious at the same time. The alter piece is from 1611 and has adorned three churches in Nedstrand. Tomas the carpenter is master of the rich carvings, and Peter Reimers was the painter. In 1628-29 a famous German artist was also here, his name was Gottfrid Hendzel. These artists influenced the interior of many churches, especially in Rogaland.

Beautiful, white, wooden church built in 1845 from architect Linstow's drawings. The altarpiece dates back to 1628.

The current church is built on the ruins of an early 12th century Roman stone church. At one time the church was transformed into a residence for the marine painter Johan Bennetter (1822-1904). Large sections of the church were demolished during World War II. The church was rebuilt and restored in 1995. Today the church is very popular for weddings and concerts. Open for guided tours every day in the sommer months. The church is closed for tours when booked for weddings.

This wooden renaissance style church built in 1842 is a fine example of the Linstow style. It has a 13th century baptismal font carved of soapstone, a 15th century brass plate from Germany, and a church bell from 1238 bearing the seal of Magnus Lagaboter.