NORWAY ~ Borgund Stave Church ~

... Beautiful view of one of Norway's famous landmarks and most visited Stave Church in the country... an iconic feature of wooden architecture in a rural landscape... they are entirely made of wood, even the nails... the carvings on and in Stave Churches are often a mix of Norse mythology and Christianity... this simple, yet elegant, black wooden church is no longer used for church functions, it’s now a museum... these Stave Churches are the oldest preserved wooden churches in Christianity... Heel Erg Bedankt Ben en Loes! (✿ ♥‿♥)  

It was built sometime between 1180 and 1250 AD with later additions and restorations. Today, only 28 stave churches remain in Norway. The majority of these historical churches are located in the Fjords and southeast Norway. 

Its walls are formed by vertical wooden boards, or staves, hence the name "stave church." The four corner posts are connected to one another by ground sills, resting on a stone foundation.

The church has similar Nordic carvings as found on Viking ships with crafted joints and no nails or glue. There are four dragon heads at the top of the steeple on the gable ridges.

The church interior is dark, as not much daylight enters the building. Some of the few sources of natural light are narrow circular windows along the roof, examples of daylighting. It was supposed that the narrow apertures would prevent the entry of evil spirits.

Stamp:

Marine Life - Killer Whale

(Issued 17-04-2020)