In Photos: Norway’s Incredible ‘Viking Church’ At Borgund

07.04.2024 - 04:01 / forbes.com

Amidst verdant green valleys and rugged mountains lies a remarkable piece of cultural heritage at the heart of Norway. Dating back to the late 12th century, Borgund Stave Church is an architectural masterpiece that has stood the test of time.

Constructed entirely from wood, the church is a monument to the exceptional creativity of medieval Norse craftsmen.

Although no longer used as an active place of worship following the construction of a modern replacement in 1868, the stave church offers visitors a rare detailed glimpse into the past. It provides a snapshot of a time when Old Norse beliefs still lingered in a Scandinavia that was undergoing rapid Christianization.

Borgund is a fantastic example of stave church architecture, a style unique to Northern Europe, characterized by its use of vertical wooden staves to support the structure.

What sets Borgund apart is its remarkable state of preservation and the intricate detail of its design.

The exterior, adorned with elaborate carvings depicting dragon heads and Christian symbolism, reflects a fusion of pagan Norse and medieval Christian influences. Locals weren't quite ready to give up on the old ways.

The interior, dimly lit by natural light filtering through small windows, contains original wooden pews and an altar that has witnessed centuries of worship.

It’s well worth paying the entrance fee to enter the church, for its inside that you can truly appreciate the architectural style and the work that went into its construction.

At the height of the Middle Ages, there were over a thousand stave churches in Norway. Today, fewer than 30 remain, with Borgund among the most visited. It’s not just the church itself that survived. Norway's sole surviving stave-built bell tower stands nearby.

The survival of these churches is a remarkable feat, considering the vulnerability of their wooden structures to the elements and the ravages of time.

Meticulous maintenance and the dedication of generations who recognized its historical and cultural value were key in the church’s survival.

An important moment in the church’s history took place in 1877, when it was purchased by Fortidsminneforeningen (the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments) in order to save it from demolition.

Next to the historic stave church, its 19th-century replacement serves the current religious needs of the community.

The ‘new’ Borgund Church is an attraction in itself, thanks to its dragestil design and red color, providing a striking contrast to the older church and the green surroundings.

Those surroundings are a popular hiking destination among locals and tourists alike. The church is a feature on the historic 68-mile-long trail known as Kongevegen, or The King’s