The most beautiful religious buildings Østlandet

Built around 1100, when this Viking country was barely Christianized, this church is a curious mixture. The magnificent portal is carved with knotwork and dragon heads. Inside, a carved seat depicts Sigurd helping Gunnar conquer Brynhild, protected by a rampart of flames. Siegfried, Gunther and Brunehilde are the three heroes who inspired Wagner to create the main characters of the Ring of the Nibelungen. It's well worth a visit.

This 12th century Romanesque church is dedicated to St. Olav. According to legend, the carved face on the north-western façade represents the same canonized king. Another legend tells that the church was built by a nymph who, after completing her work, had the misfortune to fall to her death. Where the nymph fell, the grass has never grown again. A nice visit for the whole family if you are in the area.

Domkirke Cathedral is one of the most central sites in Oslo and therefore an easy meeting point for many people. It is bound to be in your path! Opened in 1697, this cathedral has retained many of its original features, such as the pulpit, the altar and the remarkable organ case. The stained glass windows, made by Emanuel Vigeland (Gustav's younger brother), are particularly interesting, as well as the ceiling fresco.

The Dominican monastery was built in 1216 in stone, but brick was the predominant material at the time of its renovation in 1300, and its aesthetics were subsequently modified. After the Reformation in 1537, the east wing of the structure became the residence of the Lutheran pastor in charge of the monastery. There is unfortunately not much to see, but these are among the few ruins of the original Oslo, before the new capital Kristiania moved in around the marina. A few meters further on, two other ruin sites are worth a walk.

The cathedral was first built in 1100. In 1130, King Sigurd the Crusader was buried here. Built in Romanesque style as a basilica, it had two rows of columns, a transept and a central tower. It was enlarged in 1260 in a Gothic style and in 1639 it was replaced as a cathedral by the Church of the Holy Trinity. The building soon fell into disrepair and its stones were used for other buildings, including the Akershus fortress. Only the foundations of the cathedral remain visible.

Hovedøya features the ruins of a Cistercian monastery as a reminder of its history. The monastery dates back to 1147, and was founded by English monks from Kirkstead Abbey. Very prosperous during the medieval period, it also belonged to the Norwegian army and was the scene of armed conflicts linked to the succession to the Danish-Norwegian throne. Later, it was used as a stone quarry to build the Akershus fortress. At the heart of the island of Hovedøya lies Klosterkroa. Set in the heart of nature, this timeless café is ideal for a break.

It stands on a gentle grassy slope leading down to the Nisser fjord. Built of stone (a rarity in Norway) around 1150, it is dedicated to Norway's patron saint, St. Olav. The ceiling is decorated with 20 panels by Thomas Blixius, painted in 1714. The church has preserved its original portal, whose arcade depicts two dragons entwined in a struggle frozen for eternity. The small cemetery that surrounds it exudes a striking atmosphere.

The stone church dates from the Middle Ages. It was built between 1200 and 1220. An unpretentious church that can be visited if you pass by. A magnificent organ, worth a visit, with painted blue wooden contours decorated with motifs was installed in 1825 and restored many times. It is still in use for masses and other celebrations. The church also has its own model ship, a beautiful three-masted wooden ship, all white, quite original!

Behind the building in logs, built in 1654, a stone of 540 kg is that tells you that it was built by Sterke the Nile (Nils Olavson Langedal), the giant of Seljord which had been fed with the mare's milk. The house of Sterke the Nile is located on the hill behind the church.

The church of Flatdal is a langkirke, i.e. a long construction and extended to symbolise the holy path ("Via Sacred") which follows the course of the east to the west.

An ancient wooden church dating back to the ^13th century and remodeled in the ^17th century. All that remains of the original church is the central nave. The contrast between the sober exterior and the colorful, busy baroque interior is astonishing. Don't miss the dragon heads, perched on the church roof to ward off evil spirits.

The presbyteryalso houses a collection by Norwegian painter Jacob Weidemann.

Lom's standing wooden church is one of the oldest and largest of its kind. This superb ^12th-century edifice is enthroned in the middle of the village, below the Brova river, surrounded by its cemetery. Since its construction around 1158-1159, it has been the main church of the village and, in the Middle Ages, of the whole northern part of the Gudbrandsdal district. During the summer season, daily 20-30 minute guided tours in English are organized to allow visitors to admire the church's interior, rich in sculptures and paintings.

The church of Bragernes is located near the market place. It is built in the neo-Gothic style. The painting of the altar by Adolph Tidemand, depicting the Resurrection scene, has been copied in more than 70 other churches in the country, which has made it famous. This church is in use all year round, so depending on the day of your visit, you may be able to attend a concert by one of the many choirs in the country accompanied by the organ.