Hol Old Church

Hol, Norway

Hol Old Church (Hol gamle kirke) is presumed to date from the 13th century, but the exact dating is unknown. The church is the oldest parish in Hol and is first mentioned in a letter from 1328 as a small stave church with covered side porches. The church has been expanded several times, in the 16th century, in 1697 and in 1798-99. It was rebuilt in 1888 and 1938. It is believed that the floor of the church was made using columns from the old stave church. The pulpit and baptismal font are from the Renaissance period (1697) and the altarpiece from 1703. The pulpit is placed above the altar.

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Address

Ålmannvegen 2, Hol, Norway
See all sites in Hol

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Religious sites in Norway

More Information

www.visitnorway.com

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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User Reviews

eric claeys (5 months ago)
Beautiful church in beautiful landscape
Jan Kornstad (6 months ago)
Hol old church is a church with supposed origins in the 13th century in Hol municipality. The church is the oldest in Hol parish and is first mentioned in a letter from 1328, then as a small stave church with aisles. The church's apse is believed to have originated from this original church, but the exact date is unknown. Previously, the old church was the main church for the whole of Hol, except for Dagali, which belonged to Uvdal municipality. The church has been rebuilt and expanded several times. Both in the 16th century, in 1697 and in 1798-99. It was later rebuilt in 1888 and 1938. It is believed that the floor of the church is staves from the old stave church. An outlaw man was buried outside the cemetery in 1740.
Steffen Maeland (2 years ago)
Wooden church from the 13th century. Very thorough personal tour of about 60 min, well worth the entrance fee of NOK 50.
Ernst Jan Bos (3 years ago)
A very nice and really old building. Simply findable.
Carl Petter Opsahl (3 years ago)
This is a very distinct church / stave church, originally built once in the 13th century, but rebuilt and rebuilt several times since. It is beautifully situated by the Holsfjord, two beautiful old wooden houses close by the church. The interior is sober, which makes the altar image focus. The picture dates from 1703 and depicts the communion. Above the altar image is the pulpit. It's not power, so the church can be pretty cold if it's not a warm summer day. Highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.
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Lorca Castle

Castle of Lorca (Castillo de Lorca) is a fortress of medieval origin constructed between the 9th and 15th centuries. It consists of a series of defensive structures that, during the Middle Ages, made the town and the fortress an impregnable point in the southeast part of the Iberian Peninsula. Lorca Castle was a key strategic point of contention between Christians and Muslims during the Reconquista.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the site of the castle has been inhabited since Neolithic times.

Muslim Era

It has not been determined exactly when a castle or fortress was first built on the hill. The first written documentation referring to a castle at Lorca is of Muslim origin, which in the 9th century, indicates that the city of Lurqa was an important town in the area ruled by Theudimer (Tudmir). During Muslim rule, Lorca Castle was an impregnable fortress and its interior was divided into two sections by the Espaldón Wall. In the western part, there was an area used to protect livestock and grain in times of danger. The eastern part had a neighbourhood called the barrio de Alcalá.

After Reconquista

Lorca was conquered by the Castilian Infante Don Alfonso, the future Alfonso X, in 1244, and the fortress became a key defensive point against the Kingdom of Granada. For 250 years, Lorca Castle was a watchpoint on the border between the Christian kingdom of Murcia and the Muslim state of Granada.

Alfonso X ordered the construction of the towers known as the Alfonsina and Espolón Towers, and strengthened and fixed the walls. Hardly a trace of the Muslim fortress remained due to this reconstruction. Muslim traces remain in the foundation stones and the wall known as the muro del Espaldón.

The Jewish Quarter was found within the alcazaba, the Moorish fortification, separated from the rest of the city by its walls. The physical separation had the purpose of protecting the Jewish people in the town from harm, but also had the result of keeping Christians and Jews separate, with the Christians inhabiting the lower part of town.

The remains of the Jewish Quarter extended over an area of 5,700 square m, and 12 homes and a synagogue have been found; the synagogue dates from the 14th century and is the only one found in the Murcia. The streets of the town had an irregular layout, adapted to the landscape, and is divided into four terraces. The synagogue was in the central location, and around it were the homes. The homes were of rectangular shape, with various compartmentalized rooms. The living quarters were elevated and a common feature was benches attached to the walls, kitchens, stand for earthenware jars, or cupboards.

Modern history

With the disappearance of the frontier after the conquest of Granada in 1492, Lorca Castle no longer became as important as before. With the expulsion of the Jews by order of Ferdinand and Isabella, Lorca Castle was also depopulated as a result. The castle was abandoned completely, and was almost a complete ruin by the 18th century. In the 19th century, the castle was refurbished due to the War of Spanish Independence. The walls and structures were repaired or modified and its medieval look changed. A battery of cannons was installed, for example, during this time. In 1931 Lorca Castle was declared a National Historic Monument.

Currently, a parador (luxury hotel) has been built within the castle. As a result, archaeological discoveries have been found, including the Jewish Quarter.

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