Urnes Stave Church

Urnes Stave Church sits on a hillside overlooking the Lustrafjorden, with tall wooden pillars and steeply pitched roofs that define Norwegian medieval design. The building's structure showcases how craftspeople joined and fitted wooden pieces without modern tools.

The church was built around 1130 as the third structure on this site, reusing elements from earlier buildings that dated to the 11th century. Earlier worship places stood here before the current wooden church was constructed.

The north portal displays wooden carvings that blend Norse imagery with Christian symbols, showing how the region's faith changed over the medieval period.

You can reach the church by ferry from Solvorn to Ornes during the summer months when ferry service runs regularly. Check opening times before your visit since access depends on the season and weather conditions.

The building created a distinctive carving style that became known as the Urnes style, which shaped how medieval Scandinavian craftspeople designed wooden ornaments. Other churches and buildings later copied this approach to their own carved decorations.

Location: Luster Municipality

Inception: 12 century

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

Made from material: wood

Operator: Fortidsminneforeningen

Address: 6870 Ornes, Norway

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:30-17:45

Phone: +4741394821

Website: http://fortidsminneforeningen.no/properties/56/98

GPS coordinates: 61.29806,7.32250

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:27