Nore stavkirke

About the museum

Nore stave church by Norefjorden holds a unique position in the history of Norwegian architecture. The church was built around 1167 and had galleries (svalganger), a choir and transept arms with an apse. This sets it apart from contemporary churches, and no other church buildings in Norway or Europe are known that could have served as a model for its construction. The church was partly rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Inside, the church is a colour box in which no surface is without decoration. The decoration was carried out in two stages, around 1650 and around 1730. The first was paid for by the farmers of the parish, possibly on the instruction of the priest. In the 1730s both transept arms were decorated with rebuses above Bible texts, framed by leaves and flowers. The altar has a canopy, and the altarpiece with a Communion motif was probably painted in 1704 as a copy of the altarpiece in Lyngdal church. The west portal of the nave has carved leaf scrolls and animal ornament with dragons and lions.

The Fortidsminneforeningen (Norwegian heritage society) has owned the church since 1890. It also owns Uvdal stave church, and Numedal is known as the valley of the Middle Ages.

Highlights

• Stave church from around 1167 with transept arms and apse
• Interior decorated around 1650 and 1730
• Altarpiece from 1704 modelled on the one in Lyngdal church
• West portal with dragons and lions

Operated by

Fortidsminneforeningen

Admission & discounts

2026 prices.

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