Moster Gamle Kirke stands on the spot where Christianity officially came to Norway. In 995, King Olav Tryggvason built a wooden church here, the first in western Norway. Thirty years later, in 1024, King Olav Haraldsson held the Mostratinget, a national assembly that adopted Norway's first Christian laws.
The stone church standing today dates from around 1150 and replaced the original wooden structure. It is one of the oldest preserved stone churches in Norway, built in Romanesque style with thick walls and small windows. It seats about 80 people.
The church sits on the island of Bømlo, a short detour from the E39. The surrounding area is quiet, with an old cemetery and views across the water. A memorial park nearby commemorates the 1024 assembly with sculptures and information panels.
If you are interested in Norwegian history, this is a significant site. It does not take long to visit, but it carries a thousand years of weight.
The stone church standing today dates from around 1150 and replaced the original wooden structure. It is one of the oldest preserved stone churches in Norway, built in Romanesque style with thick walls and small windows. It seats about 80 people.
The church sits on the island of Bømlo, a short detour from the E39. The surrounding area is quiet, with an old cemetery and views across the water. A memorial park nearby commemorates the 1024 assembly with sculptures and information panels.
If you are interested in Norwegian history, this is a significant site. It does not take long to visit, but it carries a thousand years of weight.