What to do and see in Møre og Romsdal, Western Norway: The Best Churches & Cathedrals

The Aukra church was built in 1835 and has a octangular shape. The church has been through some changes and modifications since it was built. When the local council took over the responisibility of the church in 1901, the old pews with familynames were removed so that people could freely choose where they wanted to sit themselves. The old pillory was burned. The 'sidewings' of the altarpiece of 1712 is one of the older items that have been salvaged through fires etc. through the years.

Liabygda Church is a wooden, single-nave church, constructed in 1917, seating 165. The architect was Henry Bucher, Oslo, and the builder was Tore Overa. Student of Theology Lars Lied was actively engaged in decorating the church, with chandeliers from Paris and Berlin and lamps from Lyon and Brussels. The interior and the canopy altar had an eastern influence. The church was restored in 1989-90, and amongst other new features was an extension at the main entrance (in part across the full width if the nave) for toilets and a new stairway to the spire, bier room and washroom for in the cellar for the gravediggers. The architect was Spjelkavik Architect Office. (Source: Kyrkjene i More, Kulturnett).

In the middle of the island, protected by houses and on the island's highest point, you will find the little red stave church, standing as it has stood since appr year 1300. It has ever since been a meeting point in happy times and also in sad times. The altarpiece was donated by the Netherlands princess Elisabeth in gratitude for her rescue at sea by Norwegian sailors during a violent storm in 1515. The wall paintings date back to appr 1620.

Ellingsoy Church was consecrated the 31st of August 1998, and is designed by the architect Oscar Norderval. The church is idyllically situated in Slotsvika, with a fjord view of islands and skerries. It is stretching upwards with a special roof construction, viewing God's heaven. Some may look upon the building as hands, gathering their finger tips at the top and covering the parish protectively. Other may remember the meeting tent carried by the Israelits throug the desert. The beautiful church art in Ellingsoy Church, created by the artist Hakon Gullvag, consists of a hanging cube in the middle of the church room. This is telling about the incidents of the Bible - the past. At the front is the priest and the altar, representing the present, and at the wall behind the altar is the circle with Jesus collecting souls to Heaven.

One of the most significant churches from this era (appr 1180). Stone, marble and soapstone are the building materials. Inside the walls, internal corridors has been built for seremonial purposes. The beautiful interior dates partly from 1500 century. A stone at the altar contains a runic inscription. The nearby vicarage is a listed building and dates back to 1730. Concerts are held here throughout the summer. Tours are given by appointment.

A beautiful and special stave church. Kvernes stave church, dating from approx. 1300 AD., is one of the youngest of the Norwegian stave churches. Located with a magnificent view over the Kvernes fjord and the Frei fjordtwo fjords. Inside choir screen with crucifix and royal monogram, baroque pulpit, painted acuantus decarorations. The altarpiece is from 1475. On Nordmore there are two stave churches, one at Kvernes and also Grip stave church on the small island of Grip. At Kvernes, guide service is available and it is highly attractive for visitors, also larger groups. Open daily during summer. Next door you will find Old Kvernes Rural Museum and the more recent Kvernes church (1893) is also located nearby. Exit the RV64 by Bruhagen towards Kvernes.

Borgund Church is situated in the old trading community Borgundkaupangen, and is partially built on the remains of the old St. Peter's Church from the 12th century. Most parts of today's church are from 1904, with lovely carvings by Nicolai Mejdel og Hans Johannessen. Borgund Church can seat 650 people. The church was reconstructed after a fire in 1904, but they chose to keep the roman style. Parts of the church originate from the St. Peter's Church, which was built in the 12th century. There was several extentions made between 1632 -1868. Notice the beautiful carved interior, made by Nicolai Mejdel and HansJohannessen, Lars Kinsarvik, Lerdal, Johansen and Johannes Rykken. Study the stone altar from the Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages, the trading community in Borgundkaupangen had three churches, and hidden under the ground on the way to Borgund Animal Club, lies the remains of a marble church, Kirstkyrkja. This has probably been a cathedral. Several burial mounds from the Middle Ages have also been discovered in the area around Katevagen. When arranged visits at Borgund church are requested, please contact the church office in advance to make an appointment. This in order to avoid funerals, weddings etc.

Situated 34 kilometres outside andalsnes by Rodven. This stave church is a one nave church of a type which has interior staves in the longer walls. It was probably constructed around 1300. The medieval church had external galleries all the way around, but these were demolished during a reconstruction in the 17th century. There are religious service in the stave church every year at Midsummer. The church is also used for weddings. Daily guided tours in summer.