Røldal Stave Church in Røldal was built between year 1200 and 1250 AD and is a fine example of traditional stave construction. The church is known for its richly decorated interior and historic crucifix, and was an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. It is still in use today and attracts pilgrims from around the world, set in the dramatic fjord and mountain landscape of Hardanger.
Because of Røldal Stave Church, the village of Røldal became quite prosperous in the Middle Ages, and the church is still in use as a regular church.
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.
Røldal Stave Church in Røldal
Røldal Stave Church is estimated to have been built between year 1200 and 1250 AD. The original church was built with the stave construction. During reconstructions in 1844 AD. and between 1913 and 1918 AD, it was discovered that Røldal Stave Church was different from other stave churches. The original walls were covered and protected by new outer walls during the last reconstruction.
In the Midde Age, Røldal Stave Church was one of the most important churches in Norway for pilgrims. Due to this, the church received large donations from the pilgrims, and the village of Røldal became quite prosperous.
In addition to several objects in the stave church, such as a crucifix from the 13th century and a baptismal font from the 13th-14th centuries, a number of objects from Røldal Stave Church are also kept in the University Museum in Bergen.
Season: Røldal Stave Church is currently in use as a regular church, but there are also guided tours in the summer. See the website of Røldal Stave Church for season and opening hours.
How to travel to Røldal Stave Church
Røldal is perhaps best known for the skiing and Røldal Ski Resort on Mt Røldalsfjellet. The ski resort is located on the high mountain, above the tree line, and is particularly popular among freeriders.
It is about 42 kilometers to drive from Odda to Røldal Stave Church, Odda is the municipal center in Ullensvang Municipality. Røldal is also part of Ullensvang Municipality. Read more about Røldal at Roldal.no.
The Hardangerfjord Area – What to See and Do
The Hardangerfjord area, Norway’s orchard, is known for its spectacular fruit tree blossoms in spring. Lake Bondhusvatnet and the Bondhusbreen glacier in Kvinnherad by the Hardangerfjord were among the first places visited by English tourists when they discovered Norway in the mid-19th century. See Vøringsfossen in Måbødalen, Låtefossen in Oddadalen and all the other beautiful waterfalls in the area around the Hardangerfjord. The Hardangerfjord is Norway’s second longest fjord and is located in Vestland county, near Bergen, in the middle of Western Norway.
Visit Hardangerfjord – Visit Sunnhordland
Visit Hardangerfjord and Visit Sunnhordland are the official destination companies for the Hardangerfjord area.
Hotels and Accommodation in and around Røldal
There are several places to stay overnight in Røldal and in the surrounding area. Here you can read more about where you can stay in Røldal.
Acommodation in Røldal
Hordatun Hotel – Håra, Røldal
Skysstasjonen Kro & Camping – Røldal
Seim Camping – Røldal
Røldal – Useful Links
Visit Røldal – Tourist Information about Røldal
Røldal Ski Resort – Røldalsfjellet
References