Torpo Stave Church, Ål, Norway - SpottingHistory.com

Built in 1192, the Torpo stave church is the oldest building within the valley and traditional district of Hallingdal. The church was dedicated to Saint Margareta. The stave church was purchased by the municipality in 1875. It was initially planned to expand it with an annex to the east, but in 1879 it was decided instead to modernize the interior with new ceiling and gallery. Following protest from the Ancient Monuments Society, the municipality decided to build a new church on the adjacent property. The new church was built north of the old one with the two churches standing side by side.

The Torpo stave church is one of two stave churches that are signed by the their craftsmen, the other being the church at Ål. In both churches a runic inscription reads: Torolf built this church. The full runic inscription in the Torpo stave church, which is listed as N 110 in the Rundata catalog, reads: Þórolfr made this church. Ásgrímr, Hákon, Erlingr, Páll, Eindriði, Sjaundi, Þórulfr. Þórir carved. Ólafr.

References:

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User Reviews

Krisztián Ferryman Konszky (WE GO AGAIN) (9 months ago)
Beautiful buildings and plenty of stories. But of course, everything is closed.

Ian Bowden (9 months ago)
Unbelievable place and over 800 years old

Ann-Evy Hagen (Annie) (10 months ago)
Nice Guide

LIDIA OLARU (11 months ago)
A piece of history!!! And the guide... explained things that I wouldn't have probably noticed...

Tintintin (12 months ago)
Cute little stave church

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