Explore Telemark

English

Norsk

Eidsborg Stave Church

Type:Church

Museumsvegen 9, 3891, Høydalsmo

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 31 reviews31 reviews

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.

Book Tickets Online

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

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      14
    • Very Good
      15
    • Average
      2
    • Poor
      0
    • Terrible
      0

    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
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      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.

    What's Nearby

    1. Saint Nicholas and the Eidsborg Pond

      The bishop dedicated the church to St Nicholas. Through the years, this saint became an…

      18 m away
    2. Stålekleivloftet - one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world

      Is the storehouse of the legendary woman Åse Stålekleiv the oldest profane wooden…

      105 m away
    3. West-Telemark Museum Eidsborg

      To experience the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Western Telemark, the museum…

      236 m away
    1. Would you like to get married?

      Here you will find the perfect setting for a wedding.

      250 m away
    2. Statkraft Exhibit Centre at Eidsborg

      The Statkraft exhibit centre at the museum in Eidsborg tells the story of hydro power…

      269 m away
    3. Whetstones from Eidsborg

      For about 1000 years Tokke has had an export industry of whetstones. For Norwegian…

      965 m away
    4. Grimdalstunet

      Here at Grimdalstunet you can get a glimpse into the home of the artist Anne Grimdalen. A…

      7.48 km away
    5. Åmdals Verk Mines

      Exciting copper mine in a small community built upp due to mining.

      10.39 km away
    6. Øyfjell Local History Museum

      Oyfjell museum of Local History has a rich collection of tools, traditional costumes,…

      14.66 km away
    7. Øverbø - the home of Sondre

      The history of Sondre Norheim begins in Morgedal, Telemark.

      20.83 km away
    8. Norwegian Ski Museum Morgedal

      Jazz lovers flock to New Orleans, Elvis fans congregate in Memphis, ski enthusiasts…

      22.47 km away
    9. Aasmund Kleiv - ski maker and ingenious craftsman

      Exhibition about Aasmund Kleiv (born 1923) from Morgedal, ski maker, craftsman and artist.

      22.47 km away
    10. Smørklepp Art Museum - Sørensen and Kihle

      The valley of Smørklepp in Vinje made a lasting impression on the famous Norwegian artist…

      23.90 km away
    11. Knut Skinnarland Sculptural Art Collection - Rauland Kunstmuseum

      The Skinnarland Collection houses more than 100 works of art by sculptor Knut Skinnarland…

      25.66 km away
    12. Dyre Vaa Sculptural Art Collection - Rauland Kunstmuseum

      The museum shows sculptures, paintings, graphic art and drawings by the famous artist…

      25.72 km away
    13. Kviteseid Local History Museum

      What did a prosperous farm in West-Telemark look like about 200 years ago? At Kviteseid…

      30.76 km away
    Previous Next

    Related

    West-Telemark Museum Eidsborg, TokkeTo experience the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Western Telemark, the museum in Eidsborg is an excellent place to start.

    Whetstones from Eidsborg, TokkeFor about 1000 years Tokke has had an export industry of whetstones. For Norwegian Vikings whetstone from Eidsborg was an effective weapon for throwing as the historic sagas tell us.

    Museum Café Eidsborg, TokkeThe Cafe is situated by R45 next to Eidsborg stave church in the beautiful and dramatic landscape of Tokke.  In the modern museum building, opened in 2012, there are magnificent exhibitions telling the history of the folk art and culture of Western Telemark.

    group of hikers at the top of the brynestein quarryThe whetstone walk, TokkeExciting hiking route from Vest-Telemark Museum in Eidsborg to the historic whetstone quarry.

    The Activity Park in Eidsborg, TokkeActivity park for the whole family - with a 1:1000 model of the Telemark Canal. Be a lock master or a steam ship captain! Many other acitivities.