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

Rudi Brochs (4 years ago)
Western Norway from its best. Highly recommend Hardanger.

Beata Maria Beck (5 years ago)
Weri old interesting church

Olia (5 years ago)
Quite a beautiful ancient church, has its own atmosphere. The interesting murals inside are interesting, albeit somewhat erased. There is a functioning cemetery near the church. It is fashionable to go inside and look at any time

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Kinsarvik Church