Kaupanger stave church
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Kaupanger stave church (Kaupanger Stavkyrkje) is the largest stave church in the Sogn og Fjordane, and is situated in the town of Kaupanger, Norway. The nave is supported by 22 staves, 8 on each of the longer sides and 3 on each of the shorter. The elevated chancel is carried by 4 free standing staves. The church has the largest number of staves to be found in any one stave church.
Kaupanger Stave Church was built in 1190, and is situated on the ruins of what might be two previous post churches. Kaupanger was a market town that King Sverre — Kong Sverre burned down in 1184 to punish the local inhabitants for disobeying him. The stave church standing on this site probably burned down in this fire. Several restoration projects have taken place both inside the church and on the exterior, but in spite of these changes, the medieval construction has been preserved. The pulpit, altarpiece and font are all from the 17th century.
[edit] External links
- Kaupanger stave church in Stavkirke.org — in Norwegian
- Kaupanger stave church in Fortidsminneforeningen — in Norwegian
- Fortidsminneforeninga's stave church pages — in Norwegian (there are also English and German pages)