Church of Avaldsnes
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St. Olav´s church of Avaldsnes is a medieval church on the island Karmøy on the west coast of Norway.
This church has been a landmark for the seafarers passing through the strait of Karmsund for 750 years. King Håkon IV Håkonsson gave permission to build a church around the year 1250. It was not completed until nearly 1320, and was then the fourth largest in the country. The church was dedicated to St. Olav and received the status of ”Royal Chapel”. During the same period it became one of four ”college-churches” ( it appointed a council of theological and juridical scholars).
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History
The history of the church depicts a fine cross-section of Norway`s history. Being one of the largest churches along the coast of Norway, it is certain to have been visited by many travelers on their pilgrimage to St. Olav`s shrine in Trondheim.
The decay started with the Black Death in 1349-1351. This disaster was followed by 400 years of Danish supremacy. In this period, the church gradually fell into a state of ruin due to lack of repair. In the 17th century a little wooden church was built inside the stone walls. This one was used for more than 200 years.
The first restoration work began in 1830. The old steeple was demolished, the nave was rebuilt, and a small wooden steeple was erected on the top.
In the 1920's the church was once again restored in a manner which was more similar to its original architecture. A new stone steeple was built and the interior renewed.
The German occupation in World War II became dramatic for the church. The Germans asserted that the high steeple was used as a landmark for allied planes, coming in over the strait of Karmsund to drop bombs in the water. German authorities demanded the steeple to be demolished. Many people were engaged in the task of saving it, and they persuaded the Germans to let them camouflage the whole church with timber! This was to be done in 5 weeks, but the whole job lasted a year.
The 700th anniversary of the church in 1950 was a big event for the community, with concerts and a historical outdoor play which pictured the Viking history of the place.
The stained glass windows were ordered for the anniversary. They were made by Bernhard Greve, a Norwegian painter, and present the most important events in the life of Christ : Baptism, passion, ascension and resurrection.
Design and architecture
The pointed arches, but thick walls and no pillars, suggest an early Gothic design. The walls are composed of ordinary gray stone in thickness about 1.2–2.0 meters. The corners and frames around the doors and windows are of steatite (soapstone) from ”Tolgetjønn” near Haugesund.
"The sewing needle of Virgin Mary" (nor:"Jomfru Marias synål")
This is the only one remaining of several monumental stones which once stood around the church area. The stone has been somewhat taller, but, towering at 7.2 meters it is still the next largest of its kind in Norway. The stone leans in towards the church wall—the distance to the wall is in fact only 9.2 cm. A saga tells that "the day of Judgement will come when the stone comes into contact with the church wall". A popular story tells us about the minister in the old ages climbing up the monument and cutting off a piece from the stone when it came dangerously near the church wall!
External links
- Avaldsnes: Norway's oldest throne (http://www.karmoyped.no/avaldpros/)