Nore Stave Church, Medieval stave church in Numedal, Norway.
Nore Stave Church is a wooden church structure in Numedal featuring galleries, a chancel, cross naves with an apse, and ornate carvings of dragons and lions on its west portal. The building combines multiple structural elements typical of medieval Norse architecture.
The church was built after 1167 and underwent changes in the 1600s and 1700s, including chancel replacement in 1683 and nave reconstruction in the early 1700s. These renovation phases show how the community adapted its spiritual space over centuries.
The interior walls display religious murals and inscriptions, including medieval crucifixes and painted decorations from 1655 and 1683 in the naves and chancel. These artistic details reflect the piety of different generations of worshippers.
The building is managed by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments and is open only for occasional summer services and tourist visits. Check ahead to learn when the church is available, as hours can be limited.
Archaeological excavations in 1978 revealed that the current structure stands upon the foundation of an earlier church. This finding shows the site has been a place of worship for more than 800 years.
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