Ringebu Stave Church, Ringebu, Norway

Ringebu Stave Church was built in the first half of the 13th century. The church is first mentioned in 1270, although it can be older. It was rebuilt into a cruciform church around 1630 by master-builder Werner Olsen and in 1631 received its characteristic red tower. Of the original church only the nave remains, with free-standing posts in the inner area.Later restoration brought it back a bit closer to its original shape in 1921.

The church was painted in 1717, but only the lower half of the walls were done, since the ceiling at that time was lower. At one point the church was painted white within, but during the restoration work in 1921 the church interior was restored to its original colouring.

There have been some archaeological surveys of the ground under the church. The last one took place in 1980 - 1981. These surveys have resulted in the finding of about 900 old coins, mostly from the medieval times, especially from the period 1217 - 1263.

Post holes from an older church has also been found. The post church is assumed to be a forerunner of the stave church. The earth-bound posts of these churches were planted directly into the ground, and therefore they were exposed to humidity which caused them to rot over the years.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Fylkesveg 379 11, Ringebu, Norway

See all sites in Ringebu

Details

Founded: c. 1220
Category: Religious sites in Norway

More Information

www.stavechurch.no
en.wikipedia.org
www.visitnorway.com

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Garmo Stave Church (47,2 km)
Follebu Church (31,9 km)
Fåvang Stave Church (9,5 km)
Østre Gausdal Church (28 km)

User Reviews

Ekaterina Stefanova (7 months ago)
We went in the beginning of November. The Church itself was closed but how magical it was to walk around. The territory and cemetery around was open.

Glenn Grønnevik (8 months ago)
Super to see such a well kept Stavkirke

Francesco Xodo (8 months ago)
Ringebu church is one of the 28 stave churches remaining in Norway. It was built around 1220 and renovated during 17th century, with the addition of the red tower. Unfortunately I wasn't able to visit the interiors because it's open only until 5 P. M.

May Carneiro (10 months ago)
Visiting this church was a privilege I be forever gratefull for having in this lifetime, is also one of my fav experiences in Norway so far, felt like a pilgrim in a spiritual journey

סער שייק (2 years ago)
Beautiful place, if your road is close to that place, you should go there. You can wander around the area by foot, there is a nice view of the valley and a museum, and it seems that going to be a restaurant or coffee shop and other things, but they were not open yet when we were there.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Christian Lauw

Historic Site of the week

Wieskirche

The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche) is an oval rococo church, designed in the late 1740s by Dominikus Zimmermann. It is located in the foothills of the Alps in the municipality of Steingaden.

The sanctuary of Wies is a pilgrimage church extraordinarily well-preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, and is a perfect masterpiece of Rococo art and creative genius, as well as an exceptional testimony to a civilization that has disappeared.

The hamlet of Wies, in 1738, is said to have been the setting of a miracle in which tears were seen on a simple wooden figure of Christ mounted on a column that was no longer venerated by the Premonstratensian monks of the Abbey. A wooden chapel constructed in the fields housed the miraculous statue for some time. However, pilgrims from Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and even Italy became so numerous that the Abbot of the Premonstratensians of Steingaden decided to construct a splendid sanctuary.

Ringebu Stave Church