Torpo Stave Church, Ål, Norway

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.

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User Reviews

Pieter Versteeg (3 years ago)
Nice stave church that really comes alive when you go inside with the well informed guide Caroline!

Chris Vader (3 years ago)
This stave church looked unique, and we drove an hour out of our way to see it during their posted hours only to find the main office closed. When I opened the door to the church to find an employee, a lady (in the standard stave church shirt) yelled a lot of stuff in Norwegian and motioned for us to leave. Not a welcoming experience... but it is a cool building from the outside.

Melanie (3 years ago)
Beautiful and impressive building.

Louis van Garderen (3 years ago)
Have not booked a relatively expensive tour inside but impressive on the outside due to its history. Great entrance. If you are around you should visit.

Krisztián Ferryman Konszky (WE GO AGAIN) (4 years ago)
Beautiful buildings and plenty of stories. But of course, everything is closed.

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