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Wooden church · Flåm, Vestland
Borgund stavkyrkje
The medieval wooden church in the Lærdal valley, built around 1180 and preserved almost as it was: layered roofs, dragon heads and the outer gallery. There is a visitor centre next to it.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Borgund stavkyrkje
The Borgund church is the medieval Norwegian stavkirke that best preserves its original form. It stands in the Lærdal valley, about 60 km from Flåm, and was built around 1180, entirely in wood, with no metal nails in the main structure: vertical posts, the stav, support the nave, and the roof rises in six stepped layers, with dragon heads at the ends and a small tower at the top.
Inside, the nave is dark and tall, lit only by small openings and the doors. The posts, the Saint Andrew's crosses and the beams show the construction technique, and medieval runic inscriptions can still be seen on the walls. Around it, the covered gallery, the svalgang, protected people from rain and wind before the service. The portals have carvings of dragons and foliage.
The church stopped being used for regular services in the 19th century, when a new church was built beside it, and since then it has been cared for by Norway's monument preservation association. Nearby is a medieval wooden bell tower and, on the other side of the road, the visitor centre, with an exhibition about the stavkirker and the Middle Ages.
Borgund lies on the route for those driving from Flåm to Oslo via the E16, near the Lærdal Tunnel.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour, including the visitor centre.
Best time
From May to September, when the church and visitor centre are usually open. For the rest of the year it can only be seen from the outside. Check before you go.
How to get there
It is located in the Lærdal valley, by the E16, about 60 km from Flåm via the Lærdal Tunnel. Bergen–Oslo buses along the E16 usually stop nearby; a car is the most practical option.
Tip
Buy the ticket at the visitor centre and see the exhibition before entering the church. Walk around the outer gallery and look at the carved portals, especially the west one.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Borgund stavkyrkje
Why is Borgund so well known?
It is the medieval stavkirke that came closest to its original form, with layered roofs, dragon heads and the outer gallery preserved.
Is the church still used?
Not for regular services—those moved to the new church next door in the 19th century. Today it is a monument open to visitors in summer.
How to get there without a car?
Buses on the E16 between Bergen and Oslo usually pass nearby, but there are few departures. A car or an organized tour from Flåm is more practical.
Can you combine it with Flåm on the same day?
Yes. It's about 60 km via the E16 and the Lærdal Tunnel, roughly an hour by car.