The most beautiful religious buildings Vestlandet

This monument is a faithful copy of the original building, which was destroyed by arson (by a satanist group) in 1992. The church was originally located in the hamlet of Fortun in Sogn and dates back to 1150. In 1883 it was moved to Fantoft in Bergen. It is quite interesting to see that it is possible to rebuild the church exactly as it was. Even without the original history, this church is very beautiful and worth a visit.

King Sigurd Jorsalfar, a fervent Christian (he took part in the crusades), ordered the construction of this cathedral in 1125. Built in Anglo-Norman style with the help of English companions, it was damaged by fire in 1272. Its choir was rebuilt in Gothic style. The rest of the interior is Baroque. In the literature, it is assumed that the remains of a standing wooden church built by Erling Skjalgsson around 1015 are located under the present cathedral.

The cathedral has been restored many times, but a very old part has been preserved, dating from the 12th century. The Gothic style still predominates, as evidenced by the choir and part of its tower. Recitals are held during the summer on Thursdays and Sundays. The service is in Norwegian, and in English in the summer. Note the churches in and around the town: Fana Church (30 minutes by bus), Johanneskirken, Korskirken, Mariakirken, Nykirken.

The cathedral dates from 1885 and was built in the neo-Gothic style by the architect Henrik Thrap-Meyer. At 60 metres long, 38.7 metres wide and 70 metres high, it is one of the largest in the country. Classical music concerts are regularly held here. There are guided tours to the top of the tower from mid-June to mid-August. Some tours are also in English. Weekday organ recitals in summer at 11am or 3pm.

Three churches were built on this site. The one you can visit today dates from around 1130. It is a World Heritage Site because it is the oldest in Norway, and also one of the most decorated. You can see figures from the 12th century (the oldest in the country) representing a scene on Golgotha (Jesus on the Cross). Guided tours are available upon reservation. WC on the spot.

Probably founded in 1250 by Magnus Lagabøter, Utstein Monastery is set in beautiful surroundings and surrounded by gardens. Dating back to the Middle Ages, it was the royal residence of Norway's first king, Harald the Fair-haired, before being handed over to the monks of Stavanger in the ^12th century. Today, the private manor house offers a privileged setting for occasional concerts in the monastery church, as well as mass every Sunday.

This medieval church has a very rich baroque decoration with some Renaissance touches here and there. Its runestone is one of the most beautiful in Norway. Organ concerts in summer. The church is pleasant to look at. The adjoining cemetery is quiet and you can walk between the sober Norwegian gravestones. If you are passing by, consider stopping by, but perhaps don't make a detour on purpose either.

Geiranger Church is a small octagonal wooden church built in 1842. The church is said to have been built on the remains of a ^15th-century church. The church was decorated by woodcarver Einar Flydal after Vigeland introduced the artist. The work was carried out during the period 1938-1945. The woodcarvings were painted by Lars Tynes, Karl Gjere and Nils Bjørdal, all from Geiranger.

This pagan temple-like church is beautifully situated in the open countryside between 2 green hills. Built in 1150, it has preserved several runic inscriptions. The interior is original. The carved wooden portal is one of the most magnificent of its kind. Dragon heads reach for the sky at the end of the multiple roofs, on which small wooden tiles are laid like the scales of a reptile.

This standing wooden church was completed in 1897. It belongs to the Church of England and is under the spiritual administration of the Bishop of Gibraltar, who is responsible for all Anglican churches on the European continent. It was erected in memory of Margaret Sophie Green Kvikne, daughter of a Yorkshire vicar, who came to Norway as a pioneer climber and married there. She died in 1894, but on her deathbed her husband promised to build an Anglican church. St Olaf' is today one of the 28 wooden churches.

On Route 64 towards Molde (30 km from Åndalsnes), the standing wooden church at Rødven is worth a visit. The building, beautifully situated on the shores of the Rødven Fjord, dates from the 13th century. Inside the church you can see a crucifix that is as old as the church itself. Parking, WC, guided tours daily during the summer season. The whole northern shore of Romsdalsfjord offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.