Heddal Stave Church
Built around the year 1250, Heddal Stave Church is Norway's largest remaining stave church — often called the "cathedral of stave churches". It towers in the landscape with its three towers and is still in use as a parish church.
A medieval cathedral in wood
Heddal Stave Church was built around 1250 — at a time when Norway was a great power and stave churches were the dominant building style. Of around 1000 stave churches that once stood in Norway, only 28 remain today. Heddal is the largest.
The construction is a feat: load-bearing pillars (staves) raised on a base, with walls of vertical planks. The characteristic shape with three towers and roof patterns is a distinctive feature of Heddal.
Interior
Inside you will find, among other things, the bishop's chair from the 1200s, old wall paintings and rune inscriptions that tell of the construction. The church is still in use and has been restored several times through the centuries.
Right next to the church is Heddal Bygdetun with older log houses — perfect to combine your visit with.
- Built
- approx. 1250
- Type
- Triple-nave stave church
- Status
- Norway's largest
- Address
- Heddal, Notodden
Gallery
Kombiner med
Ofte stilte spørsmål
Heddal on the class trip
Heddal Stave Church is a perfect stop on the way between Oslo and Rjukan.