Kinsarvik Church, Kinsarvik, Norway

Kinsarvik Church is the oldest stone church in the whole Hardanger region, and at one time, it was one of the four main churches for all of Hordaland county. The present church seats about 240 people.

The first wooden church in all of Hardanger was built on this site around the year 1050. It was most likely a wooden church which was replaced by the present stone church around the year 1160. Remains of the previous church have been found under the present church. The foundation walls were built about 1.5 metres wide. Archaeological investigations have found that there was a fire in the church, likely around the year 1180. This was around the time when the Birkebeiners ravaged Hordaland county as they were fighting for power.

The church was originally built without a choir, and the choir was built after the fire, probably in the early 1200s. High up on the west gable is window opening leading into the church attic. It is probably here they have hoisted the local ship sails and masts to store during the winters.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Riksveg 13, Kinsarvik, Norway

See all sites in Kinsarvik

Details

Founded: 1160
Category: Religious sites in Norway

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.fjellandfjord.com

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Ullensvang Church (7,3 km)

Voss Church (32,6 km)
Eidfjord Old Church (21,4 km)

User Reviews

April van Es (8 months ago)
Sadly this brick church which was built in the second half of the 1100s, with an extension in the first half of the 1200s, wasn't open. I was hoping to see the frescoes which were restored in the 1960s. And I'd also have like to have seen the pulpit from 1609 and the altarpiece from the 1690s. I don't know whether the municipalities understand what a draw to their towns the churches are. I've found that almost all have been shut - other than the Stave Churches.

Rudi Brochs (5 years ago)
Western Norway from its best. Highly recommend Hardanger.

Beata Maria Beck (6 years ago)
Weri old interesting church

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

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Kinsarvik Church