The most beautiful religious buildings Norway

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.

It was designed by Jan Inge Hovig, and built mainly of concrete. Its architecture symbolizes the summer light and the winter night. It is one of Tromsø's proudest achievements and can be seen from the fjord when you arrive by boat. The large 23 m high glass mosaic is the work of Victor Sparre. The ishavskatedralen is not strictly speaking a cathedral, but a parish church. Tromsø Cathedral is the only wooden cathedral in the country.

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.

The church, which dates from 1784, has a very distinctive octagonal shape and is marked with the initials of the German Companions. It is also the only stone building in the city. Concerts are held here. The church is one of the largest in Norway. The church is one of the largest in Norway and bears witness to Røros's mining days. The mine emblem is on the steeple and portraits of successive mine directors hang in the church. Inside, you can see the blue and white paintings with gilding, typical of this region. The baroque organ is quite well preserved.

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.

The Nidaros cathedral has kept the Viking name of the present-day city of Trondheim, inspired by the river Nidelva. Built in the 12th century, in 1653, on the tomb of Saint Olav, the cathedral is entirely dedicated to him. Converted to Christianity in France and proclaimed king on his return to Trondheim. In 1024, he tried to Christianize the society before fleeing under pressure from the people. When he returned, he died during the Stiklestad ride and was buried on the spot, under a pile of sand. According to the legend, people who trampled on the tomb were cured of their illnesses. A year and five days later, it was decided to open his tomb and they found his body intact, his hair and nails had grown. It was then decided to build around him the beginnings of the present monument. The cathedral is built in "soapstone", in a style where the Gothic dominates, but older parts are of Romanesque inspiration. The stained glass windows are magnificent and only date from the 20th century. With its richly sculpted façade and splendid stained glass windows, it is reminiscent of Notre-Dame de Paris. The last king to be crowned in the cathedral was Harald V in 1991. The interior of the cathedral is ultimately more sober than the exterior, so if you don't opt for an educational and enjoyable guided tour, it may be more interesting to go in for a concert. Now a protestant church, the cathedral remains a place of pilgrimage and a cultural symbol of the country.

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.

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.

This impressive church, consecrated in 1961, is known for its original architecture, which was inspired by the cod drying sheds that once stood in the village. It is reminiscent of the architecture of the Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø. Located in the city, caught between the mountain and the shore, it is the successor to the many churches that the city has known. The last two were burned down, one by the fire of 1890, the other by German troops.

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.

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.

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.

Small wooden church. Built in 1974 to replace the one built in 1807 which had become too small. It is one of the oldest in Norwegian Lapland, and also the only monument that was not destroyed by the Germans during the Second World War. It is worth a visit if you are in the area. The church is still in operation and you can, if you wish, hear a mass in Norwegian or Sami. There is also singing from time to time. The shape of this church is unusual!

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.