Heddal stave church
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Located in Notodden Municipality, Telemark county, Norway, is the largest of the 28 surviving stave churches in the country. Built around 1200, this wooden, triple-nave church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features intricate wood carvings and medieval wall paintings. The church underwent major restorations in the mid-19th century and the 1950s due to deterioration over time. It remains a functional parish church and a popular tourist attraction, particularly during the summer season, offering guided tours and cultural exhibitions. Heddal Stave Church is steeped in legend. One popular myth suggests that the church was built in three days by five local farmers with the help of a troll named Finn. According to the tale, Finn agreed to build the church in exchange for Raud Rygin, one of the farmers, guessing his name. Raud overheard the troll's name in a lullaby sung by the troll's mother and revealed it just in time, causing Finn to flee in anger.
RR
00
I am in Telemark with three Teenagers who are doing an agricultural internship on the fields here. The three wanted to attend a Norwegian church service and the church in Heddal is closed for visits until we re gone, we decided to go to a church service. There were thre baptisms and the church was rather full due to that. The church service itself felt a lot more traditional (oldfashioned) than we know it from home, but out Norwegian guide assured us it was one of the better 😀. The girls asked if they could take the guides through the services with to use them for their reports and show it to their religious education teacher and it unfortunately wasnt possible. They were quite sad about it. The church buidling itself was quite impressive to them.
Mara MellerMara Meller
00
There is a large parking lot near the town church of Heddal. There were also many mobile homes parked here. The path to the town church is wheelchair accessible. However, to get into the town church you have to climb a few steps. The town church can be visited and you should buy tickets in advance. Since events are held here regularly, it is important to check in advance whether the stave church can be visited. When I was there, a rehearsal was taking place and so the church could not be visited. The opening times are daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The stave church is huge and very impressive. The adjacent cemetery is still in use.
RobRob
00
This Heddal Stave church is a traditional wooden churche that originated in medieval Scandinavia. This is characterized by their distinctive construction, featuring a framework of timber (staves) and supporting corner-posts. The intricate woodwork, steep roofs, and carvings make them unique architectural gems. These Stave churches are cultural and historical landmarks, often reflecting a blend of Christian and Norse pagan traditions. They are significant symbols of Norway's medieval heritage. Lucky to have the opportunity to visit the place
Raj KunduruRaj Kunduru
20
Totally amazing experience! I've read about stave churches and have been in wooden churches before, but nothing actually prepares you for the raw beauty of the place. The wooden carvings are fabulous. Also, some of the interiour objects are decorated with woodcarvings (check out the bench with Vôlsungasaga). The entry tickets are bought in the nearby café, and the café building hosts a small exhibition explaining some of the church artistry (all of it in Norwegian, hélas! Knowing the Sigurd plot helps though).
Anastasia AnAnastasia An
00
Absolutely beautiful stave church in Heddal. I expected a bigger crowd since it's Norways biggest stave church but there were only a couple of people which surprised me. Every hour a tourguide, in English, tells about the history of the church in a vibrant way. Delightful. The museum next to it has extra information and objects from the building period of the church, also an indication of the appearance of the oldest paintlayer found in the church. Would absolutely recommend a visit here. 10/10
Floor VisserFloor Visser
00
Nearby Attractions Of Heddal stave church
Heddal Bygdetun
Heddal Bygdetun
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Heddalsvegen 412, 3676 Notodden, Norway
Map
Phone
+47 92 20 44 35
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Website
heddalstavkirke.no
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Overview
4.7
(1.7K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
Description
Heddal Stave Church is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Notodden Municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. It is located in the village of Heddal. It is the church for the Heddal parish which is part of the Øvre Telemark prosti in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.
attractions: Heddal Bygdetun, restaurants:
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