Undredal Stave Church is Norway’s smallest church and stands in Undredal by the Aurlandsfjord. The film Frozen I was inspired by this small village and stave church, which is surrounded by precipitous mountains that rise straight up from the fjord.
The year 1147 AD. is found in the carvings inside the church and is used as the official date of the building.
Stave Churches in Western Norway
A Stave Church is a wooden church from the middle age. Most of the Norwegian Stave Churches were built right after the Viking Age around year 1100-1200 AD. The name “Stave Church” comes from the construction of the buildings; large ground beams of wood are placed on a foundation of stone, then internal wooden pillars (staves) are interconnected and also connected to the outer walls.
Undredal Stave Church in Undredal
Undredal Stave Church in Undredal is Norway’s smallest church with only 40 seats. The stave church had its 850th anniversary in year 1997 AD. The year 1147 AD. is found in the carvings inside the church and is therefore used as the official date of the church.
The original church bell in Undredal Stave Church is the first Norwegian church bell from the Middle Ages. It is no longer in use and has been replaced by two newer church bells from year 1884 and 1996 AD. respectively. The old church bell is hanging inside the stave church. The original murals have now reappeared after being covered with several layers of white paint. The white paint was removed in the 1960s.
One of the nearby abandoned mountain farms, Nedbergo (530 meters above the Aurlandsfjord, on the opposite side of Undredal) had more sun than the farms down by the fjord, and the people who lived there were quite wealthy. They had even reserved the front pews in Undredal Stave Church. They had to walk the steep trail down to the fjord and cross the Aurlandsfjord towards Undredal to go to church. If they were delayed due to weather or other conditions, the others waited until those from Nedbergo had arrived before the service could start.
Undredal Stave Church is still in use and is used both for services, baptisms and weddings.
Season 2025: There are two guides at the stave church from April 15 to September 31. Check the Explore Undredal website for opening hours. A visit or a guided tour inside the church can be booked via Explore Undredal. See the official website for season, opening hours and information about the Undredal Stave Church.
When you are in Undredal, we also recommend tasting the locally produced brown and white goat’s cheese made in Undredal, you can taste and buy the award-winning cheese at Underdalsbui grocery store.
Undredal by the Aurlandsfjord
Undredal is an idyllic little village down by the Aurlandsfjord which is known for the many goats and the local white and brown goat’s cheese.
The movie Frozen I is inspired by this small village, with the surrounding steep mountains rising straight up from the fjord.
Undredal Stave Church in Undredal is Norway’s smallest church. In Undredal you will also find what is believed to be the smallest fire station in Europe.
You do not need to go hiking or onto a fjord adventure when visiting Undredal.
Many people just want so see and experience this beautiful village and the fjord from land, to buy some goat cheese from Underdalsbui and to learn about the tradition of goat’s cheese and farming in Undredal with tasting at Undredal Bryggje/Café.
UNDREDAL – Accommodation
Hansagarden in Undredal
Undredal Leiligheter in Undredal
UNDREDAL – Useful Links
Tourist Info – Visit Undredal
The local store – Underdalsbui
Undredal Bryggje/Café – Undredal Bryggje
Church – Undredal Stave Church
Local Goat Cheese – Undredal Stølsysteri
Flåm Travel Guide – About Undredal
Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord – What to See and Do
Flåm, Aurland and Gudvangen are perfect starting points for experiences and activities in and around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, two of the world’s most beautiful and dramatic fjords. On July 14, 2005, the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord and the surrounding area were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Geirangerfjord. The Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord are both branches of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord, which is located in the middle of Western Norway.
Visit Sognefjord
Visit Sognefjord is the official destination company for the Aurlandsfjord, Nærøyfjord and Sognefjord area.
Hotels and accommodation in the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area
Overview of hotels and other places where you can spend the night in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.
Sakte – Stay and Explore the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord
“Sakte” is a collaboration between companies that provide adventures, accommodation, dining and short-travelled food- and products. “Sakte” are located in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord and is an offer for those who want to contribute to a sustainable society in the world heritage area.
References
Undredal Stave Church
Wikipedia