Hopperstad Stave Church

Hopperstad Stave Church is a medieval wooden church in Vik with three aisles and steep pointed roofs made entirely from timber. The structure features vertical wooden planks and intricate carved ornaments throughout.

The church was built around 1130 and served as the main religious center for the Sognefjord region for centuries. In the 1880s, architect Peter Andreas Blix carried out major restoration work to preserve the structure.

The church shows how Norse traditions and Christian faith came together in the design and decoration. You can see this blend in the carved details and the way the space feels when you step inside.

The church is open for guided tours year-round and is maintained by a dedicated heritage organization. The building sits by the river and is easy to locate, with clear signage from the nearby road.

Excavations near the church uncovered Viking burial sites, revealing that this location held sacred meaning long before the church was built. These discoveries link the spot to both the pagan and Christian periods of Norwegian history.

Operator: Fortidsminneforeningen

GPS coordinates: 61.07748,6.56907

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:42