Undredal stavkyrkje dates from around 1147 and is the smallest stave church in Northern Europe still in use, seating just 40 people. It stands in the tiny fjord village of Undredal on the Aurlandsfjord.
The exterior is unusual for a stave church. Instead of the typical dark tarred timber, it has white-painted clapboard siding, giving it a more familiar village-church appearance from the outside. The surprise comes inside, where medieval wall paintings cover the interior. These murals were hidden for centuries under layers of white paint applied after the Reformation, when such decorations were considered inappropriate. They were rediscovered and carefully uncovered during restoration work in the 1960s, revealing vivid scenes that had been preserved beneath the whitewash.
The church has a simple single-nave plan and retains its stave construction at the core. Despite its modest size, it has served the Undredal community continuously for nearly 900 years. Services are still held here, and the church is open for visits during the summer season.
The exterior is unusual for a stave church. Instead of the typical dark tarred timber, it has white-painted clapboard siding, giving it a more familiar village-church appearance from the outside. The surprise comes inside, where medieval wall paintings cover the interior. These murals were hidden for centuries under layers of white paint applied after the Reformation, when such decorations were considered inappropriate. They were rediscovered and carefully uncovered during restoration work in the 1960s, revealing vivid scenes that had been preserved beneath the whitewash.
The church has a simple single-nave plan and retains its stave construction at the core. Despite its modest size, it has served the Undredal community continuously for nearly 900 years. Services are still held here, and the church is open for visits during the summer season.
