Urnes Stave Church

About

UNESCO
Urnes Stave Church , the oldest of Norway's stave churches, is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It was built around 1130 AD, but the distinctive carvings on the north portal are from an even older church.

Samples taken from the base timbers show that the timber was felled between 1129 and 1131. Besides the present church, there have been two other stave churches on the same site. The last of them was built in the second half of the 11th century.

Parts of this building have been incorporated into the present church: a portal, exterior planks and a corner stave, decorated with superb carvings that have been designated the Urnes style.

The stave churches are unique and are Norway's most important contribution to world architecture. Urnes Stave Church, which is owned by the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments, was added to the World Heritage List in 1980.

145 reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2018
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Recent Reviews:

Shahar L
Herzliya, Israel
Trip type:
Family
The oldest stave church!
Monday, 10th September 2018
Urnes is the oldest preserved Stave church - built in 1129 - and it has its own architecture style called "urnes style" - found all over Norway and also England... they found planks from a previous... Read full review
tiredandtravelled
Portland, Oregon
Trip type:
Couples
Best original carvings
Friday, 7th September 2018
We took two ferries to get here. When we left we took the roads, but it was chill inspiring. These are the earliest and most authentic carvings so it interwove the Viking and early Christian... Read full review
Douglas645
Horsham, United Kingdom
Trip type:
Couples
Great trip from Solvorn
Friday, 7th September 2018
A stunning morning. We got the 10am ferry and returned on the 12.30. The ferry crossing was lovely in the sunshine and we saw several porpoises. It is a steady 20 minute climb from the ferry up to... Read full review

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Guide Prices

Ticket Type	Ticket Tariff
Adults	NOK 90.- per person
Children	NOK 70.- per person
Family ticket	NOK 220.- 1 day
Student	NOK 70.- per person

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

Map & Directions

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