Web page: Urnes Stave Church
The stave church at Urnes is the most important sightseeing goal in the community from a cultural and historical point of view. Norway`s oldest stave church in its present form dates back to the early 12th century.

Parts of an even older church were used to build it. The north portal, with its ornamentation reminiscent of the pre-Cristian cultural influence, is well worth seeing. The interior of the church is dominated by the warm color tones of century-old pine. The bishop's chair in the choir, the chandelier and the carved group depicting Jesus, Mary and John all date back to the Middle Ages. The century of the Reformation has also left clear traces; the benches, box-pews and the decoration.

The altarpiece and the pulpit date from the end of the 17th century. The construction of the box-pew for the Munthe family necessitated major alterations as this involved removing two supporting pillars which led to further measures to support the whole structure. The Urnes stave church is one of Norway's most important national keepsakes and is mentioned by UNESCO together with Bryggen in Bergen and the mountain town of Røros in its list of the cultural monuments worthy of preservation ("World Heritage List").

It is in excellent company here with the Egyptian pyramids and the Palace of Versailles. Urnes can be reached by the south bank road (from Skjolden) or by ferry or taxi-boat from Solvorn.

Booking guide: Marit Bøen phone 57 68 39 45.
The Solvorn Ferry timetables :
H-Trans AS, Phone 917 94 211, fax 57 68 31 43
M/F "Urnes" phone 917 94 211
Capacity: 12 cars, 90 passengers