Churches to Visit in Norway

Norway’s churches range from the great soapstone cathedral of St Olav in Trondheim, the goal of medieval pilgrims, to the wooden stave churches of the valleys, with their dragon-headed roofs. This chapter begins with one of each: Nidaros Cathedral and Borgund Stave Church.

Borgund Stave Church with its tiered roofs and dragon heads below misty mountains — Borgund Stave Church, in the Lærdal valley — where this guide to Norway begins. Photograph by Ramon Perucho on Pexels.

The two are far apart: Trondheim is about seven hours north of Oslo by train, while Borgund lies on the road between Oslo and Bergen, near the Sognefjord. Borgund opens only in summer.

Where to start

Nidaros Cathedral

St Olav’s cathedral, Norway’s national shrine, with the Crown Regalia next door.

Trondheim

Borgund Stave Church

Often called the best-preserved stave church, built about 1180, with dragon heads on its roofs. Summer only.

Lærdal, on the Oslo–Bergen road

Practical notes

At a glance
Admission	Norway’s great churches charge for sightseeing; services are free
Stave churches	Most open only in summer, roughly mid-April or May to September or October
Services	Sunday morning services close churches to sightseeing
Getting around	Trains link Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim; Borgund is on the E16 road and the Oslo–Bergen coach route

Coming next

Urnes Stave Church on the Sognefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Heddal, the largest stave church, are the obvious next additions.