Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Vik
POP 2750
Vik has two splendid small
churches (combined entry adult/child Nkr80/70)
, each ow-
ingtheirexistenceandpresentformtothe19th-centuryarchitectPeterBlix(whodesigned,
among much else, many of the stations on the Oslo-Bergen railway line). The
Hopper-
stad Stave Church ( 10am-5pm May-Sep)
, originally built in 1140 and Norway's
second oldest, escaped demolition by a whisker in the late 19th century. Blix took over the
dilapidated building and largely reconstructed it. Inside, the original canopy paintings of
the elaborately carved baldequin have preserved their freshness of colour. The church is on
the southern outskirts of the village of Vik about 1km from the centre.
Hove Stone Church ( 11am-4pm mid-Jun-mid-Aug)
, 1km to the south, was con-
structed in the late 12th century. The region's oldest stone building, it retains its original
form. Blix's elaborate makeover includes the abstract wall painting of nave and chancel,
the wooden figures from Norse legend in the roof beams and the external gables.
Balestrand
POP 1350
Balestrand sits comfortably beside the fjord, at its rear an impressive mountain backdrop.
Genteel and low key, it has been a tranquil, small-scale holiday resort ever since the 19th
century.
Sights
Balestrand is to be home to the
Norwegian Museum of Travel & Tourism (Norsk Reise-
livsmuseum)
, destined to open in 2012 and until then showing temporary exhibitions.
Church of St Olav
CHURCH
Thischarmingwoodenchurch(1897),inthestyleofatraditionalstavechurch,wasbuiltat
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.
Viking Age Barrows
BURIAL MOUNDS
