Page 14 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

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NO liTH
Sf A
RUSSIAN
FlOlAATION
I
BORGUNO ST.O.\If CHURCH

CONSTRUCTION METHODS
The earliest stave churches, built in the 11th
century, had wooden wall columns that
were set directly into the ground. These
churches lasted no more than 100 years, since
moisture in the ground caused the column
bases to rot away. As construction techniques
developed, it became customary to set the
wooden framework on sills that rested on
a stone foundation. This ra1 sed the entire
wooden sk eleton above ground level,
protecting it from humidity Th1 s method
proved so effective that churches built in
the 12th century are still standing today.

STAVE CHURCH DESIGN
Borgund Stave Church IS one of the lagest
and most ornately des1gned of the almost 30
remaining stave churches 1n Norway. Usually
stave churches were Simple, relat1vely small
structures \IIIith a nave and a narrow chancel.
Borgund' s chancel also has a d1 sti ncti ve
sem ici rcul ar apse. Stave posts mark a division
between the two. The interior is dark, since
I ight can only filter through from small round
openings (windows) under the three-tiered
roof, which is crowned by a turret. An external
gallery often encircles stave churches.

ORNAMENTATION
The introduction of C hristianity to N orway
around the year 1000 saw the merging of
pagan and Christian cultures and beliefs. M ost
stave churches were erected on the sites of old
temples that were destroyed 1n the wake of
Christianity The impact of th1s can be seen in
the nchly decorated carvings 1n stave churches,
which unite pre-Christian and Chnsban
symbolism Pagan gods were represented in
disguse alongside med1eva Chnsban sa1nts
The door frame deSigns (West Door) are
particularly elaborate and demonstrate the skill
of the carpenters who embellished them from
top to bottom wrth tntncate carvings. Wood
from pine trees was commonly used, since this
was most readily available. B ranches and bark
were removed from the trees, which were then
I eft to dry out before being chopped down.
This method meant that the wood was more
weather-resistant and durable.