The most beautiful churches cathedrals basilicas and chapels 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.