What to do and see in Hordaland, Western Norway: The Best Churches & Cathedrals

In Stodle, as at Grindheim, we are able to observe the connection between the church, cemetery and a pre-Christian burial ground. The long church was the Viking chieftain Erling Skakke's private chapel from about 1160. The stone section was built in Romanesque style, and the timbered nave was extended around 1650. An altarpiece and a crucifix from 1636 can also be found here. The baroque pulpit dates from about 1600 and the two church bells from the Middle Ages. In front of the church is a burial mound and stone monument. On the edge of the large Stodle terrace, with its magnificent view over Etne parish and the fjord, about 15 burial mounds remain today. These were erected for the people of Stodle farm, and excavated finds bear witness to continuous habitation from the Bronze Age to the Viking Age, a period lasting some 2000 years. Helgaberget (Holy Rock) at Stodle is covered with rock carvings. Information board. Ample parking. Open Sundays: 19.00-13.00. For guided tours, please contact Church office, tel. 53 77 11 70.

Holdhus Church is a typical Norwegian countryside Church from the 18th Century. It is built on the site of a stave Church and parts of the interior date back to the middle ages, including the bells and the unique mysterious Madonna sculpture. The pews were private and individually decorated. Feel the comfort of the 1700s! Since 1900 the church is owned by The National Trust of Norway.

A medieval Monastery in beautiful surroundings. Guided tours are given in norwegian and english upon request. Inside the main building there is a small cafe where you can buy cakes, coffee and various pastries.

This early 12-century church is a wonderful example of Romanesque architecture.

The current church at Grindheim dates from 1783, although there has been a church on the same site for much longer than that. The church features incredibly beautiful rose-painted decorations, produced by Tore Asbjornson Risoyne. The basic motif is the well-known acanthus vine, which was widely used in rose painting and wood carving. The church was decorated in 1791, but in 1898 the decorations were painted over, because it was felt that the congregation spent too much time looking at them during services. In 1941 the decorations were uncovered as part of a major restoration project, and the inside of the church now provides a wonderful example of Norwegian rose painting. Opening times: guided tours in the summer months. Please contact the tourist office for further information.

Ulvik church was consecrated in 1859. The interior was decorated with rose-painting in 1923 by the artist Lars Osa. Here you will find a copy of one of the best known religious pictures from the Norwegian Middle Age Ulvik-antemensalet. Contact the tourist office for information and guiding. The Church is open daily form 10:00 - 16:00 in the summer season. Entrance is free.