St Olaf's Church

St Olaf's Church is a wooden church building in Balestrand featuring dragon-style architecture with carved decorations and horizontal timber cladding. The structure sits near Kviknes Hotel and reflects traditional Norwegian construction methods of its era.

The church was built in 1897 following the wishes of Margaret Sophia Green Kvikne, whose early death inspired the creation of this building. Construction took place after her passing, making it a memorial to her memory.

The church attracts visitors through its Anglican services and British connections, drawing couples from across different cultures who choose to marry here. The blend of Norwegian and English traditions shapes how the space functions today as a place of worship.

The church is most accessible during summer months when services are held regularly and English-speaking priests are present. Visitors should check ahead for service times since attendance varies with the seasons.

The church's design inspired the chapel in Disney's 2013 animated film Frozen. This connection to popular cinema brings unexpected recognition to the building's architectural style.

Location: Sogndal Municipality

Inception: 1897

Architects: Jens Zetlitz Monrad Kielland

Architectural style: Dragestil

GPS coordinates: 61.20757,6.53437

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:51