Oddernes Church

Oddernes Church is a stone structure with rubble walls and a semi-circular apse located in Kristiansand, Norway. An octagonal wooden bell tower containing three medieval bells tops the building and shapes its appearance from outside.

This building was constructed around 1040, making it the oldest structure in Kristiansand. King Christian IV funded an expansion in 1635 that adapted the structure to the needs of that time.

The minstrels' gallery displays 44 carved wooden segments showing prophets, apostles, and allegorical figures that span multiple artistic periods. These pieces reveal how different ages left their marks on this place over the centuries.

The building is located in Kristiansand and can be visited during the summer months. For visits outside this period, it is best to arrange an appointment in advance.

A runic stone sits in the church porch, showing that this site mattered long before the current building was constructed. The stone hints that people gathered here for important reasons even in earlier times.

Location: Kristiansand Municipality

Inception: 11 century

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: Kristiansand kirkelige fellesråd

Website: http://kristiansand.kirken.no/oddernes

GPS coordinates: 58.15944,8.01333

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:40