Mære Church, Sparbu, Norway

Mære Church is famous for its medieval roof with heads (human, beast and mythological) projecting from the top of its walls. The stone church likely dates to between 1150 and 1200. This is suggested by stylistic dating of its dedicatory inscription as well as coins dating from the reign of King Sverre (1183-1202) found during excavations. The pagan site buried under the church may possibly be the one referred to in the Icelandic Landnámabók Chapter 297.

The floor of the church was excavated in 1969, and found to contain the remains of a pagan cult structure. The nature of that structure was not clear. Lidén felt this represented the remains of a building, but a critique by Olsenin the same work suggested this may have be been a site for pole worship. A recent review of the evidence by Walaker Norddide in 2011: concluded that this site was similar to the site in Hove (Åsen, also in Nord-Trøndelag) and was therefore likely a cult site for pole worship. Several renovations and restorations have been undertaken over the years, most recently in the 1960s.

References:

Wikipedia

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Roar Larsen (3 years ago)
Great old church, with a lot of great history. I was lucky that it was an open church when I was there and I got a wonderful tour, both inside the church and outside in the cemetery.

Gunnar Eriksson (3 years ago)
A harmonious church with a cozy priest. Here you feel good.

Kjetil Krogvold (5 years ago)
Fight cozy

Håvard Fossan (5 years ago)
Very nice church and cemetery

Mære Church

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