Borgund stavkirke Audio Guide
Explore Borgund stavkirke with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
Borgund Stave Church is a remarkably well-preserved wooden church from the 12th century, serving as a prime example of a Norwegian stave church. It is recognized as a cultural heritage property.
What you will hear
The Multi-Tiered Roof and Stave Engineering
Focus on the unique exterior silhouette and the complex engineering of the tiered roof structure.
The Multi-Tiered Roof
Observe the complex six-tiered roof of the stave church, which creates a striking, pagoda-like silhouette designed specifically to withstand the harsh conditions of the mountains.
The 13th-Century Bell Tower
Visit the rare, free-standing bell tower (støpul), the only one of its kind remaining in Norway.
The Free-Standing Bell Tower
Standing apart from the church is a rare thirteenth-century bell tower, built this way to protect the main sanctuary from the heavy vibrations of tolling bells.
The West Portal and Serpent Carvings
Examine the intricate wood carvings of the main entrance before stepping inside.
Braided Serpent Carvings
Flanking the entrance are intricate carvings featuring intertwined serpents and vines, a display of the Urnes style that symbolizes the struggle between order and chaos.
The Svalgang: The Protective Walkway
Walk through the covered gallery that surrounds the church, protecting the inner walls from the elements.
The Covered Gallery
Surrounding the interior is the 'svalgang', a covered walkway that protects the main structural walls from rain and ice while serving as a place for weapons.
The Twelve Pillars of the Nave
Enter the dark interior to see the massive wooden columns that support the entire structure.
The Dark Interior
The interior of the church is a dark, atmospheric space modeled after a triple-nave basilica, lit only by high-set portholes that keep the focus on ancient wood.
Want to hear the rest?
Download the Stanza app to unlock all 22 stops and full GPS-guided navigation.
Get the App