Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stave Churches
ThereisnomoreappealingNorwegianarchitecturalstylethanthestavechurch.Thesefant-
astical structures evoke Norway's medieval past with dark-wood walls rising to turrets and
ornamentalflourishes,attimessuggestingseeminglymythicalcreatures,atotherstheprow
of a Viking ship. Most churches are found in Norway's fjord regions and the close-up in-
tricacy of detail and the pleasing aspect of the whole is often offset by a stunning location.
Heddal Stave Church, Notodden
An astonishing flight of architectural fancy (
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)
Urnes
Unesco World Heritage-listed church on the shores of a fjord (
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)
Lom
Perfectly sited structure where valleys meet (
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)
Borgund
One of the best-preserved examples, with a medieval wooden bell tower (
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here
)
Fantoft Stave Church, Bergen
Poignantly reconstructed church that burned to the ground
in 1992 (
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)
Ringebu
A lovely little church set on a wooded hillside (
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)
Stordal
Hybrid church unusual for being more spectacular on the inside (
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)
Wildlife
Polar bears, whales, reindeer, musk ox, Arctic fox, elk (moose)…Norway is home to some
of Europe's most charismatic wildlife and although populations are small, most are readily
accessible to even casual wildlife-watchers. Prolific bird species make Norway one of the
most important birdwatching destinations in northern Europe.
Svalbard
Home to a checklist of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, Arctic foxes,
reindeer and bird life (
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)
Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park
Trackdownbirdlifeandmuskoxonsafarifrom
Oppdal or Dombås (see the boxed text,
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)
