Norway, the country of fjords, lovely scenery and peace. We had a wonderful journey on our Norway cruise, entering three different fjords to visit communities that were established centuries ago. In Eidfjord, Olden and Alesund, we visited the churches that in some ways define the communities and the calmness of Norway.
Two were small churches in the tiny towns of Eidfjord and Olden. Both towns were located at the end of beautiful and long fjords. Although the outside of these buildings is different, the insides were so similar.
In Eidfjord, we walked up a long hill to reach the Old Church. Along the way we saw a Viking Exhibition, showing how homes were built with grass roofs. We had magnificent views of the hills in front of us and the town below. Just before the Church was a black marble monolith with a butterfly on the top commemorating three who died during WW2 fighting the Germans. In front of the church was another engraved monolith from the early 1900s.
The Church, dedicated to St. James, was built of stone in 1309! But the best part of the church’s story is that it was built by a wealthy woman named Rike-Ragna in penitence for leaving her husband to die on a rock after an argument. Her tombstone is in the church!
I loved the plain wooden pews and was intrigued by the branches that were attached to the aisle side of the pews. They made me think of reindeer. But according to what I read, they were for men to hang their hats!!
It is simple, peaceful and calm inside. To me the perfect place to speak to God or repent a sin. The altar of the church is simple with a wooden grill in front and then a simple painting.
The most amazing stone walls surrounded both the church and the cemetery in Eidfjord and Olden. I have the best photos of the wall in Olden.
The second church in Olden, Norway is a much bigger and newer building. The original church was also built in the 14th century, but it was destroyed. This church was built in 1759. Called, of course, the Old Olden Church, it was replaced as a parish church in the 1930s and became a museum used for special occasions.
The inside of this church is very similar to the Eidfjord church, although it has a vaulted ceiling. But the pews are made of similar wood and the alter area is very similar with the grill area in front. For these pews, many of the little doors to enter them were carved by the families who sat there. Some of the pews and the doors are from the original church built in the 1300s.
I have since learned that this is the only church in this area of Norway that is built in the shape of a crucifix or cruciform. They hoped that building it in this form would protect it from the strong winds.
The third church we visited was much more European in flavor. The church in Alesund is a beautiful marble and stone building. When we visited it was undergoing some repair work, hence the scaffolding around the building.
The first church was destroyed in a fire in 1904 which destroyed most of the town. This building was completed in 1909 and is much more ornate than the churches we visited in Olden and Eidfjord.
The other difference is that you do have to pay to enter this church, which is a functioning church and closed during funerals and other times.
The beautiful altar area of frescos and stained glass is really stunning. These were made by town Norwegian artist, Martin Enevold Thomt and Oddvar Straume. The wooden vaulted ceiling and the organ areas were beautifully carved.
There was also the carved face of a young girl that caught my eye. I have not found any information about it. So if someone knows who she is, I would love to know!!
Besides the beauty of the building, what made is special for me was the young woman playing the piano while people visited the church. It was calming and peaceful. Her music added to the experience.
Surrounding the church is a small cemetery as well as a monument to those who died in World War 2.
I find it interesting how different these churches were from the extremely ornate and lavish cathedrals and churches I have visited throughout Europe. Personally, for me praying in a calmer environment seems more suitable to prayer. Although the European churches are lovely in their way, I find it unsuitable to prayer…too much going on.
zicharonot 