Easy
Thirty metres up a cliff face on the east shore of lake Norsjø, there is a cave that served as a church in the Middle Ages. Mikaelshulen, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, was carved and shaped into a place of worship with a vestibule, nave, choir and altar. A Latin description from 1643 calls it Templum Mirabile, the miraculous temple.
The cave is a rare geological formation where granite has been transformed into soft clay, partly washed out by water and partly excavated by humans. It was consecrated as a Catholic church and remained in use until the Reformation in 1537. Before that, it was an important pilgrimage destination. There are about 20 Michael churches in Norway, often placed in caves or on rock formations where the Archangel was said to battle Satan in the form of a serpent.
To reach the cave, you hike about 2 kilometres from the parking area at Mikkelshula along a marked trail. The last section is steep and involves some scrambling up the cliff. It is not suitable for small children or anyone uncomfortable with heights. The reward is the cave itself and a view straight down to Norsjø.
The cave is on the east side of Norsjø, reachable from road 36 between Skien and Ulefoss.
The cave is a rare geological formation where granite has been transformed into soft clay, partly washed out by water and partly excavated by humans. It was consecrated as a Catholic church and remained in use until the Reformation in 1537. Before that, it was an important pilgrimage destination. There are about 20 Michael churches in Norway, often placed in caves or on rock formations where the Archangel was said to battle Satan in the form of a serpent.
To reach the cave, you hike about 2 kilometres from the parking area at Mikkelshula along a marked trail. The last section is steep and involves some scrambling up the cliff. It is not suitable for small children or anyone uncomfortable with heights. The reward is the cave itself and a view straight down to Norsjø.
The cave is on the east side of Norsjø, reachable from road 36 between Skien and Ulefoss.