The most beautiful religious buildings Norway

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.

This church was erected on the battle site, and its altar is on the very spot where St. Olav fell. St. Olav is immortalized in a statue by the sculptor Dyre Vaa, which depicts him holding his golden cross over the heads of his subjects. Every year, for almost 1,000 years, some 300 enthusiasts have gathered on the battlefields to re-enact the same tragedy on the saint's feast day, June 29. This gigantic theatrical performance attracts more than 20,000 spectators. The choir of the church houses frescoes by Alf Rolfsen (1930).

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!

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.

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.

The Gothic church was built around 1250 on a site that dates back to Viking times. Around the church lie the remains of fortifications used to protect an earlier wooden church. To the east of the church lies a small lake. According to legend, the first Christians in Northern Norway were baptized in its waters. A rather relaxing place to have a picnic with the family for example. The church itself is also very pretty and surprisingly quite bright and airy, with its upper gallery and black and white tiled floor.

Since its doors opened in 2013, Northernlight Cathedral has been the pride of Alta. Its steel body spiraling up into the sky does not leave one indifferent. Inside, a bronze Christ brought back from Tuscany by boat, quite different from those usually seen. Created by the artist Brandes Pieter, who does not like traditional representations, this one looks up to the sky and reflects joy. In the basement, the small Borealis museum will tell you more about the legends and the more scientific explanations about the northern lights.