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Wooden church · Flåm, Vestland
Urnes stavkyrkje
Norway's oldest wooden church, from the 12th century, on a promontory above the Lustrafjord, with a portal carved with interlaced animals in Viking style. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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 Urnes stavkyrkje
The Urnes church sits on a slope of farms above the Lustrafjord, the innermost arm of the Sognefjord, on the opposite side of the village of Solvorn. It is regarded as the oldest surviving stavkirke, built around 1130, and reuses elements from an earlier 11th-century church. Since 1979 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What makes it unique is the decoration. On the north side, the portal and the wall boards—taken from the older church—are carved with elongated interlaced animals, snakes and a quadruped in combat, in the style art historians call the Urnes style, the final phase of Viking art. Inside, the column capitals have figures of animals and people, and there is a medieval crucifix and 17th‑century furniture.
The church is smaller and plainer externally than Borgund, with a single roof and a small tower, and it is surrounded by the cemetery and fruit farms, with views over the fjord and the mountains.
You reach it by ferry from Solvorn to Ornes, which takes about 20 minutes, and then a 15‑minute walk up. In summer there are usually guided visits.
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 1 hour in the church; half a day including the ferry crossing from Solvorn.
Best time
From May to September, when the church is usually open for guided visits and the ferry runs more frequently. Outside that period the church may be closed. Check before you go.
How to get there
From Flåm, drive to Sogndal and Solvorn, about 1h30, and take the ferry to Ornes. From Ornes pier the walk up takes 15 minutes. By car you can also reach it via the road along the east shore of the Lustrafjord.
Tip
Take the ferry and walk up: the path between the farms is part of the visit. Ask to see the north portal, with the Urnes‑style carvings.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Urnes stavkyrkje
Why is Urnes a World Heritage Site?
Because it is one of the oldest wooden churches still standing and for the carvings on the north portal, a rare example of the final phase of Viking art.
How to get to Urnes?
By ferry from Solvorn to Ornes, about 20 minutes, and then a 15-minute walk. By car, there is a road along the east shore of the Lustrafjord.
Is the church open year-round?
It is usually open from May to September, with guided tours. At other times of year, check ahead.
What is the difference between Urnes and Borgund?
Borgund has the full form of a stavkirke, with layered roofs. Urnes is simpler on the outside, but is older and contains the more important carvings.