Religious, Spiritual sights in Norway
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Dolstad Kirke
The 1735 Dolstad Kirke, built on the site of a medieval church, is dedicated to St Michael. If it's closed, ask for the key at the museum.
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A
Catholic Church
Up the hill from the Tromsø Cathedral is the town’s Catholic Church. Built in 1861, it, like the Tromsø Cathedral, lays claim to be ‘the world’s northernmost bishopric’ of its sect.
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Kautokeino Kirke
The timbered Kautokeino Kirke, which dates from 1958, is one of Norway's most used, particularly at Easter. Its cheery interior, alive with bright Sami colours, has some fixtures salvaged from the earlier 1701 church that was torched in WWII.
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St Michaels Catholic Church
With a strong claim to be the world's most northerly catholic church, St Michaels Catholic Church, serving a congregation of barely 90 souls, is immediately recognisable by the striking mosaic of the eponymous saint that extends the length of its facade.
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Tromsø Cathedral
The Church of Norway’s Tromsø Cathedral is one of Norway’s largest wooden churches. Its opening hours are erratic. Built in 1861, it lays claim to be – here comes yet another superlative – ‘the world’s northernmost bishopric’ of its sect.
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Mo Kirke
The oldest building in town, Mo's original church was constructed in 1724. With its steeply pitched roof and onion dome, it deserves to be open to visitors during more than the current brief hours. In the graveyard is a monument to Russian prisoners who died in captivity and the gravestones of eight British soldiers, killed in commando raids in May 1940.
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Church of St Olav
The road running south along the fjord, bordered by apple orchards and farmsteads, sees little motor traffic. Beside it, the 1897 Church of St Olav was constructed in the style of a traditional stave church at the instigation of English expat Margaret Green, who married a local hotel-owner. Should you find it closed, the owner of Midtnes Hotel has the key.
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Kinn
Kinn has a beautifully restored 12th-century church, believed to have been built by British Celts sheltering from religious persecution. On the second or third weekend in June, it's the site of the Kinnespelet pageant, which celebrates the history of the church on the island. Climbers and hikers will savour the dramatic landscapes, particularly the Kinnaklova cleft.
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Heddal stave church
Heddal stave church is Telemark's most visited attraction. It's an impressive structure and possibly dates from 1242, but parts of the chancel date from as early as 1147. Of great interest are the 'rose' paintings, a runic inscription, the bishop's chair and the altarpiece.
Visitors attending church services are welcome, but to avoid disruption, you must remain for the entire one-hour service.
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Kongensgate
Bodø's striking cathedral, completed in 1956, has a soaring, freestanding tower and spire. Shaped like an inverted ship's hull, the walls of its nave are clad with tufty, multicoloured rugs and there's a fine stained glass window.
The charming little onion-domed Bodin Kirke stone church at Gamle Riksvei 68 dates from around 1240. The Lutheran Reformation brought about substantial changes to the exterior, including the addition of a tower. A host of lively baroque elements - especially the elaborately carved altar - grace the interior.
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Trondenes Church
Trondenes Church, just north of the historical centre, was built by King Øystein around 1150, after Viking chieftains lost the battle against the unification of Norway under a Christian regime. For ages it was the northernmost church in Christendom – and still lays claim to being Norway’s northernmost stone church. Originally of wood, the current stone structure replaced it around 1250 and quickly came to double as a fortification against Russian aggression. Its jewels are the three finely wrought altars at the east end, all venerating Mary. Most interesting is the central one of the Virgin surrounded by her extended family with infants in arms and children tugging…
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