Torpo stave church

Torpo stave church is a medieval wooden structure in Ål featuring fourteen vertical wooden posts reaching about 9 meters high that divide the nave into a central chamber with side aisles. The building uses these posts as its primary structural element, creating a distinctive interior arrangement of open spaces.

The church was built in 1192 and stands as the oldest building still standing in Hallingdal valley. It contains ancient runic inscriptions left by its builders, offering a record of medieval craftsmanship and construction practices.

The interior displays painted vaults showing Christ, the apostles, and Saint Margaret, representing some of Norway's earliest religious artworks. These images still give visitors a sense of how medieval churches were decorated and what mattered to the people who worshipped here.

The church is accessible during summer months, with visiting times varying by season. The arrangement of vertical posts inside means that moving through the interior requires some careful navigation and awareness of the space.

The building has remained in its original location for centuries and features a continuous bench with an arcaded front that runs along the outer walls from medieval times. This surviving bench is a rare feature that shows how people actually used the space during worship.