Ringebu Stave Church Photo

Photographer’s Note

The oldest part of Ringebu church, the west end, is from the 13th century and built in the stave church style. The transept and tower are the result of reconstruction in the 1630s by master builder Werner Olsen. The west doorway, carved in dragon-style, dates from the Middle Ages. The soapstone font is from the 12th century. Two crucifixes from the Middle Ages also hang in the church. The altarpiece is from 1686 and the pulpit from 1703.

Archeological excavation carried out in 1980-81 uncovered signs of a pole church fromthe first period of Christianisation. This could be from the middle of the 11th century. According to Snorre Sturlason´s ”Heimskringla” Christianity was introduced into Gudbrandsdalen in 1021 by King Olav Haraldsson (995 – 1030).

892 coins were discovered under the floor. Many were from the time of Haakon Haakonsson (1217 – 1263) while the rest were mainly German, Swedish and Danish coins. The oldest coin was from Knut the Greats´s Danelaw in England, dated in the 1020s.

Inside the church are two runic inscriptions crudely carved into the wall and outside there are many artisans marks (signatures). Strange carved faces can be seen high up on each stave pillar. These came into sight after restoration work carried out in 1921.

The detached belfry (see workshop photo) stands at a distance from the church and is built of logs. It is first mentioned in 1577 and is built of logs. Originally it stood nearer the church but was moved after the bells were placed in the church´s own tower.

danyy, mikolaj_kawa, sandpiper, PixelTerror, snunney, graffer, holmertz, xavshot, Glint, Buin, bukitgolfb301, dareco, asajernigan, fanni, pablominto trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

jasmis (50901) 2009-07-29 0:06

Hi Gunnar...
This is really interesting set of photos including WS.
Amazing example of splendid architecture.

Regards.

danyy (69357) 2009-07-29 0:13

Bonjour Gunnar,
encore un bel endroit à visiter au sud de la Norvège. Un climat serein pour un pays scandinave, un bel et bon été apparement.
Une église bien cadrée, le fait qu'elle soit centrée ne gêne en rien.
Des couleurs révélées par de bonnes lumières bien domptées.
J'aime beaucoup.
Regards from Belgium.

Daniel.

mikolaj_kawa (31041) 2009-07-29 0:29

Hello Gunnar! Very interesting wooden church, interesting cemetery. Good scene, very good red shirt. Original composition. Nice lightness. Good sharpness. Perfect capture. Well done!

sandpiper (1635) 2009-07-29 0:47

Hi Gunnar

A very intersting church, I have never seen anything like it. I lik ethe WS photo too! Amazing architecture and history. Good POV and composition.

Chris

Silvio1953 (42617) 2009-07-29 1:16

Ciao Gunnar, splendid composition with beautiful wooden chrch, fantastic colors, good perspective, very well done, ciao Silvio

PixelTerror (86691) 2009-07-29 1:34

Hej Gunnar
A very luminous image of this church, here animated by the persons in the frame
Have a nice day JY

BeBeHooker (5990) 2009-07-29 1:37

Hi Gunnar!
Nice wooden church. Very nice light and bright. Good contrast and sharp.
Cheers!

dta (5935) 2009-07-29 1:38

Hello Gunnar ,
This church is really outstanding ; I like a lot the POv , the beautiful colors , and the contrast with the great blue sky . May be , but thes details are minor , the church coul be a little less centered , and , may be , it would be better with less sky at the top .
Best regards , and thanks for the share .

snunney (35376) 2009-07-29 1:53

Hello Gunnar,
A well framed composition with an excellent point of view. The path leads us to the door of the church; whilst the people walking along give a good sense of depth. Crisp and clear colours under that clear sky. A very attractive building with lovely warm tones.

graffer (1764) 2009-07-29 2:40

Hello Gunnar,

A stunning picture of great colour and sharpness. The red spire, and the warmth of the wooden construction, stand out so clearly against that lovely blue sky.

The strength of this composition lies in the virtual triangle that can be drawn from the two bottom corners of the image to the top of the church spire. Within that triangle lie the many other triangles of the gables of the church.

The path makes a fine lead-in, pointing past the church towards the distant mountains.

Your favourite foreground character walking up it gives a sense of dynamism too.

The unavoidable central placement of the church is neatly balanced and contrasted by the green bush to the right of the picture.

Excellent!

Kind regards,

Peter.

holmertz (9913) 2009-07-29 3:16

Hej Gunnar,
These wooden churches are really spectacular, especially on a sunny day and with a person in a red shirt in front of them. This particular man does not just add colour, he also provides an efficient foreground and helps to increase the depth of the composition. The road goes nicely on a diagonal line and passes two other persons neatly placed halfway to the church.
As usual colours and sharpness are excellent.
Hälsningar,
Gert

wolf38 (13061) 2009-07-29 5:54

Hello Gunnar. Really a worth seeing church. Composition, light and colours are in the best way. Regards, Wolfgang.

xavshot (63025) 2009-07-29 8:09

Bonjour Gunnar
très belle image; J'aime beaucoup cette lumière qui vient mettre en valeur cette église. Le personnage au premier plan permet de guider le regard. Beau travail.
Xavier

Glint (3052) 2009-07-29 9:36

hello Gunnar,
this has lots of impact due to the warm colpurs of the church and that llovely blue sky.The path rovides a good lead line and the man in the red shirt is perfectly placed to anchor the shot.
regards,
Bev

Buin (38144) 2009-07-29 12:17

Hallo Gunnar!
Heute mal in Deutsch ;-)
Hier stimmt einfach alles - Standort, Licht, Farben, der Himmel und vor allem - der Hauptdarsteller. Ein wirklich wunderschönes Gebäude, das man wohl schöner kaum zeigen kann. Der rote Turmaufbau ist fürmich irgendwie ein Stilbruch - aber das sehen Andere vielleicht anders ...

Fis2 (46273) 2009-07-29 12:47

Witaj Gunnar!
Wow fantastic church!
Beautiful frame and colors.
Super light and sharpness.
Excellent work!
Nice ewening
Krzysztof

bukitgolfb301 (4907) 2009-07-29 13:04

Hello my dear Gunnar

What a stable and massive framework photo !
Good framework, the deep and vivid color and their balance are perfect.
Congratulation on your good job !
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Have a good day !

Takero

gilou530 (35602) 2009-07-29 13:06

salut gunnar
une église en bois debout magnifique dans cette espace verdoyant et ce ciel d'un bleu, super cadrage
amitiés
gilbert

ophelcia (5498) 2009-07-29 13:27

Now I know which way you drove:)))
Still 35 NOK to get in or more???
Well shown and captured,
Gosia

TopGeo (22145) 2009-07-29 13:44

Hello Gunnar! Very interesting wooden church and that lovely blue sky!I a lot like perspective and the architecture Beautiful frame and colors.
Super light and sharpness
Compliments
Georgios

dareco (17104) 2009-07-29 21:34

I love the low pov, and how the steeple stands out against the blue sky. Very pretty architecture!! and lovely colors! A very nice lead in. TFS

jplebrun (17262) 2009-07-30 7:59

Hi Gunnar
elle est superbe cet église de bois bien cadré dans ce beau ciel tout bleu.
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

mesutilgim (37200) 2009-07-30 12:08

Hello dear Gunnar,,
No wonder that this amazing capture has collected so many points !
Amazing colors and a self speaking capture ; a nice combination of life and death.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

devimeuxbe (56266) 2009-07-30 22:36

Hi Gunnar
very interesting architecture. I have never seen this church of wood before
Nice report on Norway
Bertrand

Graal (58616) 2009-07-30 23:54

Hi Gunnar,
beautiful wooden church. An interesting view and history (in note). Nice colours, well composition. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

nirvana73 (8826) 2009-07-31 21:30

Hello Gunnar
great architecture
very intereting wooden church
good colors and light too
thansk for explanationd and sharing
best regards
Özhan

jurek1951 (26076) 2009-08-01 21:31

Hi Gunnar,

Great capture of the church with beautiful colours and contrasts.Beautiful clouds and sky.
Georg

asajernigan (14252) 2009-08-07 5:38

Gunnar,
Your composition is great with the path leading the eye into the shot. The angle of the shot works well allowing us to see more than just one side of the church. The lighting and colors are great as is the sharpness and detail. The deep blue sky is great band provides a nice backdrop for the shot.
TFS,
Asa

fanni (8811) 2009-08-12 5:56

Hello Gunnar,
the photo taken from this angle presents the church in a very interesting, impressive way. I would never guess that it is so old!
Very good capture, and I appreciate the natural colours and light management :)
The belfry doesn't look as beautiful as the church, though :) But it is an interesting addition for the complete picture!
Kind regards,
Elena

pablominto (41200) 2009-08-16 3:20

Hei Gunnar,

This is a fine composition with Ringebu stavkirke, and the wonderful light makes colours and details stand out so well!
Strong lead-in to the building, and the composition is nicely balanced by inclusion of the tree...
Seems like you had pleasant summer weather in Gudbrandsdalen!

Greetings,
Pablo -

skoogmi (39) 2009-11-13 13:01

Hej Gunnar,
Fin bild och mycket bra färger. Välbalanserat och mannen med röd skjorta måsta ha varit beställd, eller hur?
Hälsningar
Mikael

Photo Information

Copyright: Gunnar Holmertz (saxo042) (16182)
Genre: Lieux
Medium: Couleur
Date Taken: 2009-07-13
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Canon PowerShot G10
Exposition: f/4, 1/800 secondes
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Versions: version originale, Workshop
Thème(s): Ney's favorite pictures of Norway!, Wooden Churches [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-07-29 0:00