Stave churches

By Ina and Malin

Introduction - Ina● Built of wood -> usually pinewood● Normal to use wood in Norway -> viking ships

o compared to architecture on stone, cathedrals ● Is constructed on poles (staves)● The general construction on staves gave the name “stave

churches”● Estimated to be one of the most important representatives of

medieval-architecture in wood● Is an importent part of Norway´s architectual heritage● Urnes stave church in the Sognefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage

o Norway´s oldest stave church

Number

● Was over 1000 stave churches in Norway● Disappeared between 1350-1650

o because after the Black Death is was a change in need

● Today -> 28 stave churches in Norwayo few outside Norway, but one in Sweden

● In the medieval there was churches all over north-europe

● The largest amount was built in 1150-1350

History ● Johannes Flintoe and J.C. Dahl (painters) was the first persons

in modern time who took interest in the churches● Travelled around in Norway and documented them ● Dahl also saved “Vang” stave church from demolition● 1851 the “church law” -> said that a church must have room for

at least three/ten-parts of the population in a town.o many churches was demolished due to thato a union did save some churcheso “Fortidsminneforeningen” -> work to save old buildingso Established by J.C.Dahl in 1844

Today

● Used to go to church ● Today 28 churches i left in Norway

○ One in Sweden○ Few left, except from in Norway

● Heddal stave – church still in use● Most churches are not though● A symbol of old norwegian and

northern-europeen architecture

Most popular

Borgund stave church - most visited and photographed

Heddal stave curch - largest

“Folkemuseet”

● Many churches was moved to

different museums

● Last end of the 19th century

● The most famous one in Norway is

”Folkemuseet” in Bygdøy – Oslo

● A huge area with different historical

monuments

● Many stave churches

Conclusion

● An important part of Norwegian history, since it is only Norway who has so many churches left

● Siginficant architecture – inspired of the viking-time● From the medieval● Is on UNESCO´s World Heritage list● Also important history for the rest of the world

Sources

http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stavkirkehttp://www.visitnorway.com/en/about-norway/history/stave-churches/http://www.norskfolkemuseum.nohttp://www.visitnorway.com/no/om-norge/historie-og-tradisjon/stavkirker/http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Flintoehttp://nn.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.C._Dahlhttp://www.allscandinavia.com/stavechurches.htmhttp://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortidsminneforeningen