Undredal Stave Church is the smallest stave church in use in the world. The church was mentioned for the first time in a letter around year 1320 and was referred to as "the Chapel in Undredal", which was originally built under the administration of the Catholic Church of Rome.

With only 4 staves, the Church was raised in 1147 and dedicated to St. Nicholas. During the Middle Ages every town and village in Norway used to have a stave church, with only 28 left of them, Undredal stave church emerges also as the most frequently renovated church.

Built with just 40 seats and an impressive structure, Undredal stave church still houses service for the villagers once a month, some 850 years after its construction. The church’s interior decorations on the walls and ceiling are unique, and hold both craft and laymen’s work. The drawings and colours of the acanthus and floral motives unveil European inspiration and influence. The medieval bell, hung with great care inside the church, still has a great sound. Many couples from Norway and Europe come here to get married, and to celebrate a romantic wedding.

The church was in periods owned by private individuals during the 16th and 17th centuries. In this context, two names are mentioned in 1552 on the tax-payers list, "Andfind på Soop" and "Laffritz på Underdall". These two men were mentioned to be among the most influential men in the District of Sogn og Fjordane then and the Soop-family contributed actively in taking care of the church.

The descendants of Soop started in the 16th century a timber-industry by the river to provide with timber from Undredal to parts of the Dutch and British market.

These events describe the historical role and importance of Undredal in the West-norwegian cultural landscape. Come to Undredal for a visit and experience the history personally.

 

Figure 1. Picture taken from inside the Nave of the Undredal Stave Church. In the front are the candelabre, pulpit, and altar visible. See other pictures of the church.