Video: Urnes Stave Church
A guided tour and brief description of Norway's magnificent Urnes Stave Church, one of the oldest wooden churches in the world.
Perched over Western Norway’s scenic Sognefjord, the Urnes Stave Church is one of the finest examples of medieval Norwegian architecture. It was first built in the 12th century, combining elements of both wider Christian architecture and Scandinavian wood-crafting perfected during the Viking era. And, fitting that tradition, the church is home to carvings featuring both Christian themes and Norse mythology. The beautiful interlacing patterns seen in older Nordic metalworking and manuscripts also adorn the pillars of the church.
Stave churches are named for the wooden pillars that support them, and the entire structure is made out of wood. This has made preserving the churches over centuries a challenge. Of the 2800 original stave churches in Scandinavia, only about 30 remain. Urnes Stave Church fell into disrepair until the 20th century, when renovation projects restored it to its former glory. It’s now recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site, welcoming visitors from around the world.
This video courtesy of UNESCO takes us on a guided tour of the church, from its sweeping panoramas to the tiny details of its shingles and carvings:
References
“Urnes Stave Church.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO, whc.unesco.org/en/list/58/.
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