When I was a little kid I spent a few summers on my grandparents farm in Ringebu. It is up in a steep mountainous area surrounded by other farms with beautiful views as far as you could see. Like many rural farming areas, traffic along the main road was so desolate that you wave to strangers driving by. Though, here and there in the summer months I would see a bus loaded with tourists drive by.
Curious as to where they were going, I found out they were headed to see the church down the road. At the time it made no sense to me at my young age. “Who goes to see a church when they don’t have to”? Now, I am older, slightly wiser and understand the allure of old churches. The history, the aura and the architecture. Not to mention the uniqueness of a Stave Churches architecture and that they are almost exclusive to Norway. The look of them may may remind you of some structures from The Lord of The Rings trilogy or maybe troll folklore. Its medieval appearance is hard to match.
The unique “post in ground” timber trellis design and construction form the particular Norse look that give the name, Stave Church. Built in this ingenious style of companion maids cleaning service to withstand the harsh Norwegian winters and stand for decades and in some cases centuries. The Ringebu Stave Church traces its origin to 1220 before being extended in 1630 when the familiar red high tower was added and maintained by cleaning exec to last longer. The church may even trace its roots back earlier, into the 900’s. Predating Lutheranism and possibly showing some Pagan roots.
Affiliated with The Church of Norway, it’s classification is Protestant and still actively used today. The church itself is nestled in the hills and surrounded by nearby farmlands. The property surrounding the church serves as a cemetery. My grandparents as well as my parents are laid to rest here, so I have spent time walking the grounds outside. Despite having that connection, I can understand why people travel from all over the world and wish to visit any one of Norway’s historic Stave Churches.
Ringebu is approximately 150 miles from Oslo and just over a 3 hour drive. Or trains leave often from the airport in Oslo and it will only take about 2 and 1/2 hours by train at a cost of around $65 one way. There are other Stave Churches located around Norway and anyone of them would be worth the trip if you appreciate history and architecture.
Karl
I recently returned to Ringebu and visited the Stave Church. The following are some addition photos I was able to take.
This one is the most unusual. Look at the top left and see the unknown figure painted, eerie?
Some of the coins that have been found on the church grounds that bring the history back to the 900’s
A view from a distance
A close up of the weathered wood
An old “stone” on display
Interior images
interior images
interior images
interior images
interior images
In 2 words Beautiful and Amazing. Love that architecture and it’s full of History. Been in Norway more then once but never visited a Stave church, definitely have to do that next time I’m there. Great photos too 🙂
Thanks, the history and architecture always put me in awe. To have a small part of my families history there makes it even more special to me.
Would it be possible to get a print of the mural of Kristopher Kraft and family? They are my 4 x great grandparents.
Love the photo you took of the Church in winter time at night, it’s so peaceful, I can only imagine how it felt to be there at that time.
Wow, I am blown away that these wooden structures have survived so long – would be interested in knowing more how they were built. I really need to spend time in Norway. You mention taking a train from Oslo but would there be places to stay in the area or is it a daytrip only?
The age is amazing. The construction although simple is unique. As far as hotels go, there are a few in town, but Ringebu is a small town with a population of under 5,000. I think it probably best to drive or take the train to Lillehammer. Here you would have some more options and Ringebu is just 1 hour away by car. A very beautiful drive too.
One of my favorite posts to date! Seeing the pictures definitely stirred emotions inside me–I could only imagine being there in person and with such a personal connection to the church. Just beautiful! Thank you for sharing something so personal to you and your family and opening your reader’s eyes to yet another treasure in this world! 🙂
Thanks Aimee I’m glad you liked it and always appreciate the feedback & comments
Love the photos. Takes me back to 2003 when I visited Norway with my Father to trace our heritage in the Nord-Aurdal region near Fagernes. I recall visiting the Ringebu stave church as well as several others throughout Norway. They were just amazing. Thanks for sharing and bringing back those great memories.
Thank you. It’s nice to hear from someone who has been there and appreciates. Thank you for your comments.
Amazing winter pic, looks eerie.
Thanks you. It was subzero temperatures that night which added to the effect in person.
Coming Soon, more pics….
Beautiful new photos, truly an amazing place, so much history, love it !!
The little figure above the crucifix is said to be demonic or of pagan roots by some. Though the truth may be further from the stories
Hi Karl! Greetings from the Jersey Shore. I just got back from beautiful Ringebu and posted my pictures on fb. I wanted to backup my picture of the Stave Church there, with some good information so my friends could get the right perspective on such an important part of world history. I searched the internet and some across your blog. It was just what I was looking for, and thank you! I was not able to get inside (although, I have been in others) so this also brought me in… This was my first time to Rinebu, where I stayed with my cousin and his son in their cabin, for a few very special days. I hope to one day return again!
Barbara, So happy to hear you went and even more elated that my post was able to help you. Ringebu is a small town and I have many relatives there, maybe we are related! lol. I spent my summers on a farm just up the road from the church and I never get tired of looking at it. Hope you get to go again!
Karl. I was looking up the Ringebu Stave Church (Kirk) and to show a friend a picture of a Stave Church, and came across your wonderful pictures and text. My family is from Ringebu also! I wonder if (since you said that you have a lot of family there and the town isn’t highly populated,) if you or your family might know any of my ancestors’ great grandchildren. I can tell you that the ancestor who immigrated to the U.S. was named Gunder Emerson (ergo my last name Gunderson) Gunder was born in 1829 but he died in North Dakota where my father was born in the 1930’s. But I don’t know how to tell you the names of who you or your family may know the descendants of Gunder’s brothers and sisters. I have done some hunting on Ancestry.com and am a member. Gunder married Merit Paulsdtr in 1854 when she was age 25. The best I can do right now is tell you the names of his parents who lived in Ringebu their whole lives: Ener Jacobsen Hoyesveen and Marit Gundersdtr from what I can tell. I don’t understand exactly why his mother had the daughter of Gunder for a last name. Does that make any sense to you?
I live in Santa Cruz, California, and was born in Alameda/Oakland, California, and I discovered a secod cousin via ancestry.com who only lives 2 hours away. That was exciting too. I noticed that the only activity on this blog is from 2013 so I will try to contact you on Twitter from your link below. I want to tell you something, that if you like to travel inexpensively and get to know the locals like I do, do you know about the international organization called SERVAS International? You can stay free at people’s homes who don’t even know you, and any members can stay at your home. I have had some wonderful people from other countries stay with me. I used it once to go to Washington D.C., and the hosts felt like family. You should google it if this sounds good. SERVAS is for people who want to promote peace and understanding and you get interviewed by someone who volunteers in the program, hopefully in your area. Then you pay something and get a list of people internationally or just nationally if you are staying in the country. It says if they will pick you up at the airport, if they will put you up, if they will show you around, etc. It’s great! I hope I hear back from you very much! What if we are related? That would be the most exciting thing to find out. My head is spinning. I will try to contact you on Twitter by your name solo bagging. I see a date there of 2016. That’s promising. My nick name is Cat.
That is interesting. I will be in Ringebu again in a few months so I could look/ask around for those names and ask some of my family there?
Hi Karl. Val Tomlinson (below) is the mother-in-law of my second cousin (same last name as mine, Gunderson), and Val found me on ancestry.com, researching my family from Ringebu and steered me to my second cousin and his sweet wife who lives two hours drive from me. We would really appreciate it very much if you would ask about some names. Will get back to you about the names before you go there. Thank you!
Catharine Gunderson
Santa Cruz, California
No problem – I’ll keep in touch
Thank you, Karl!
Catharine Gunderson.
P.S. I see that Valerie Tomlinson has also contacted you. That is great.
Truly fascinating. I dont see how they can keep the church warm.
I’ve been doing genealogy for a Gunderson family in U. S. Many came from Ringbu. I’ve been wondering how and who to contact for church records and names of those in cemetery. If there is a list .
The couple I researched for wants to come over there and hopes to find living relatives. Next year may be their first chance to get there.