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.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

163 reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2019

Excellent
113
Very Good
38
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
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Recent Reviews:

kd1289
Chicago, Illinois
Very cool church - worth the trip!
Tuesday, 6th August 2019
We were staying in Solvorn so took the ferry across the fjord. Well worth a visit - we did the brief tour and then hiked up a bit past the church for a great view of the fjord. Very informational... Read full review
traveltheworld012
Rochester, Minnesota
Great history and architecture in the oldest stave church.
Sunday, 1st September 2019
Urnes is possibly the oldest and most outstanding representative of the stave churches. The church expresses in wood how structures of Romanesque architecture were designed. By the use of... Read full review
Tomoko T
Seattle, Washington
Beautiful Stave Church overlooking Fijord
Thursday, 5th September 2019
This is a must visit if you are staying in Solvorn. It is a short (and lovely) ferry from the tiny pier by historic Walaker Hotel. The church stands on the hill overlooking Fjord, an amazing view... Read full review

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Guide Prices

Ticket Type	Ticket Tariff
Adults	NOK90.00 per person
Children	NOK70.00 per person
Family ticket	NOK220.00 1 day
Student	NOK70.00 per person

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

Map & Directions

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