Photo: Jiri Havran, Directorate for Cultural Heritage

Inscribed on World Heritage List in 1979

Urnes stave church is an example of very skilled craftsmanship and has exceptionally fine wooden carvings. It was once a private church for a powerful high-born family at Urnes. The builders were aware of international trends in architecture, and transferred these trends from stone to wood. The interior of the church is exceptionally richly decorated. Urnes church is protected according to the Cultural Heritage Act.

Urnes stave church was restored and reopened in 2010.