RØLDAL STAVE CHURCH IN RØLDAL

Røldal Stave Church in Røldal is estimated to have been built between 1200 and 1250 AD. The original church was built with stave construction.

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.

Visit HardangerfjordVisit Sunnhordland

Visit Hardangerfjord and Visit Sunnhordland are the official destination companies for the Hardangerfjord area.

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.

FJORDS NORWAY - Urnes Stave Church at Ornes by the Lustrafjord. The idyllic Fjord Village Solvorn on the other side of the fjord.
The UNESCO-Protected Urnes Stave Church at Ornes by the Lustrafjord. The idyllic Fjord Village Solvorn on the other side of the fjord.

Røldal Stave Church in Røldal

Røldal Stave Church in Røldal, Hardanger.
Røldal Stave Church in Røldal, Hardanger.

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.

The Hardangerfjord Area – What to See and Do

View from Kjeåsen Mountain Farm towards Eidfjord and the Hardangerfjord.
View from Kjeåsen Mountain Farm towards Eidfjord and the Hardangerfjord.

The Hardangerfjord area,  the orchard of Norway, is known for Summer Skiing at Folgefonna Glacier and a spectacular fruit tree blossoming in spring.

Lake Bondhusvatnet and the Bondhusbreen Glacier in Kvinnherad was one of the first places the English tourists visited when they discovered Norway in the mid 1800´s.

Drive in the Hardanger area and see the Vøringsfossen Waterfall in Måbødalen in Eidfjord, the Låtefoss Waterfall in Oddadalen and all the other great waterfalls in the Hardangerfjord area.

View from Dronningstien above Kinsarvik. Sørfjorden goes inwards to the left.
View from Dronningstien above Kinsarvik. Sørfjorden goes inwards to the left.

Odda, in the heart of Sørfjorden,  has now transformed from an industrial town into an adventure town. Trolltunga Active and Trolltunga Adventures are based at Odda, and offers guiding and equipment rental. Some of the adventures they offer are Trolltunga hikes, the Dronningstien hike, Via Ferrata Trolltunga and Tyssedal, Fjord Adventures and Winter Adventures.

Combine a fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord with a trip to Måbødalen to see the mighty Vøringsfossen Waterfall from the new viewing platform and viewing bridge built in connection with the Hardangervidda National Tourist Route.

The Hardangerfjord is located in the county of Vestland, near Bergen, in the middle of Western Norway. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is known as The Gateway to the Fjords. Bergen is also the gateway to the Hardangerfjord.

References

Stavechurch.com
Wikipedia

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.

Hordatun Hotel – Håra, Røldal
Skysstasjonen Kro & Camping – Røldal
Seim Camping – Røldal

Røldal Ski Resort – Røldalsfjellet

 

Here you will find an overview of recommended HOTELS in addition to SPA & BATH HOTELS and OTHER ACCOMMODATION PLACES in Western Norway. The combination of beautiful nature, activities that you can do in all four seasons and a stay at a great accommodation is unique. A stay in one of these places will do you good, both for body and mind.

There are ten restaurants that have awarded Michelin stars and Michelin awards in Western Norway. Eight of the Michelin restaurants are in Stavanger and two in Bergen. Here you will find FJORDS MICHELIN, where you will also find a list of recommended hotels in Western Norway, recommended by Michelin.

USEFUL LINKS is a list of websites with great information on Norway and the Fjords. FAQ is an overview of articles that answer the most common questions you have when planning to visit the fjords in Western Norway.

Røldal Stave Church – Map Overview