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Scandinavian Stave Churches

Type Object Region Scandinavia Time c. 1100–1350

A tradition of Christian wooden churches in Scandinavia built on a load-bearing structure of upright staves (stav), flourishing in the 11th to 13th c…

Timeline

  1. c. 1100–1150Southern Norway · NorwayFrom the late 11th to early 12th century, the Norwegian kingdom, driven by Christianization, built simple stave-structure churches in each parish, employing local shipbuilding and house-building techniques.
  2. c. 1150–1200Urnes · NorwayIn the mid-to-late 12th century appeared fine examples with multi-tiered staves, dragon carvings, and Romanesque portals; Urnes Church (begun c. 1130–1150) represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship of this period.
  3. c. 1201–1300Throughout Norway · NorwayBetween 1201 and 1210, parishes across Norway still commonly expanded or rebuilt in the stave church form; examples such as Borg Church show Gothic influence seeping into the traditional timber form.

Sources