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Eidsborg Stave Church

Type:Church

Museumsvegen 9, 3891, Høydalsmo

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Add Eidsborg Stave Church to your Itinerary

From NOK70.00
Eidsborg stave church, Vest-Telemark Museum.
  • Eidsborg stave church, Vest-Telemark Museum.
  • A guided tour of Eidsborg stave church. Vest-Telemark Museum.
  • Eidsborg stave church, Vest-Telemark Museum.
  • Product Image
  • Eidsborg stave church.
  • Eidsborg stave church, Vest-Telemark Museum.
  • Product Image
  • Eidsborg stave church.
  • Eidsborg stave church, Vest-Telemark Museum.
  • Product Image
  • Eidsborg stave church, Vest-Telemark museum.
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About

This small stave church is located close to West Telemark Museum, location Eidsborg.

Take a guided journey through 800 years of history… Hear about the Stave Church and the changes in beliefs and conventions over this period.
Learn about the legend of the Holy St. Nicholas. The church was dedicated to St. Nicolaus (locally called Nikuls), and a statue of this saint was very central in a local culture that remained well into the 1700s.

The Eidsborg Stave Church is one of the best preserved examples of the 28 protected stave churches in Norway. The unique building form is regarded as Norway’s contribution to world architecture.

In the Middle Ages, there were probably more than 1500 stave churches. For a long time, it was assumed that Eidsborg stave church was built between 1250 and 1270. In 2023, new samples of building parts were collected in the church. The report based on the test results came in the autumn of 2024, and the conclusion is that the church in Eidsborg may have been built just before 1150, i.e. 100 years earlier than we thought! This places Eidsborg Stave Church among the five oldest stave churches in the country.

The church was restored in 2005-2008 and is still in use. The stave church is of a kind that has the exterior covered entirely with chipping.
There are many interesting details to this church, such as runes, carvings, and interior décor from the 1600s and a bell tower from 1727.

Opening times

In the summer months (15 June to 15 August) there are guided tours to the church three times every day. The guided tours are included in the museum ticket. Please note that the church is closed for visitors when it is in use for weddings, religious services, funerals, etc.

In the shoulder season (1 May to 15 June, and 15 August to 15 September): Please ask the guide at the museum reception if you would like to see the church from inside.
 
Out of season the museum can organize guided tours by pre-booking. 

Facilities

Museums, Galleries and crafts

  • guided tour by appointment
  • guided tour during opening hours

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

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    Recent Reviews:

    • Navigator645184
      Costa Rica
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Beautiful
      5 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 4th January 2020
      This was the most beautiful church we saw while in Norway. We were passing by this to go to our destination. It was night time but it was well lit. I was very happy that we stopped to see it. Read full review
    • kates012
      Odense, Denmark
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Beautiful church
      4 of 5 stars
      Friday, 7th August 2020
      Our visit to the church and the adjoining museum was very informative and interesting. It was such a wonderful way to learn about Norwegian history and culture. The church was small but it was still... Read full review
    • goingwalkabout
      Tonsberg, Norway
      Very nice stave church
      4 of 5 stars
      Wednesday, 2nd June 2021
      This is a small, but very beautiful stave church. We came outside the opening hours, but it was worth stopping anyway. I have seen a lot of stave churches and really recommend stopping at this one. Read full review

    Guide Prices

    Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
    Adults (from 16 years) Museum, stave church and family parkNOK140.00 combination ticket
    Children 6-15 years Museum, stave church and family parkNOK70.00 combination ticket
    Family ticket Museum, stave church and family parkNOK370.00 1 day
    Groups min. 10 pers. Museum and Stave Church. Guide fee NOK 800,-NOK120.00 combination ticket
    Senior/Student Museum, stave church and family parkNOK120.00 combination ticket

    Prices are subject to change.

    Map & Directions

    Contact

    Tel: +47 35 06 90 90

    Opening Times

    Guided tours in the church at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 (1 May 2025 - 15 Sept 2025)

    * The church is not open between the guided tours.
    Off season the museum can organize guided tours for groups by pre-booking.

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    Related

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