Fantoft Stave Church image

Fantoft Stave Church

Tourist attraction Church

Early medieval wooden church, built in the village of Fortun & moved here, with carved dragon heads. People often mention church, small, beautiful, walk, visit, building, stave, fence, closed, nice,


Address

Fantoftvegen 38, 5072 Bergen, Norway

Website

fantoftstavkirke.no

Contact

+47 55 28 07 10

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 10:30 am to 4 pm
  • Friday: 10:30 am to 4 pm
  • Saturday: 10:30 am to 4 pm
  • Sunday: (Christmas Eve), 10:30 am to 4 pm, Hours might differ
  • Monday: (Christmas Day), 10:30 am to 4 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: (2nd Day of Christmas/St
  • Wednesday: 10:30 am to 4 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: church (51) small (14) beautiful (12) walk (11) visit (11) building (9) stave (9) fence (8) closed (8) nice (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 R L. 10 months ago on Google
    Very cool and unique building. Must see for black metal fans. Not open for viewing between September - May, but you can still walk up and look at the building. There is a large fence and security cameras around the church. Fairly easy walk from the light rail station, but it is uphill. Area was quite quiet and very peaceful.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alex S. 1 year ago on Google
    This is truly a beautiful stave church. It is modeled after the ancient Vikings and the carvings are stunning. Admission is 70 NOK for adults. Around the church there is a small park that invites you to explore.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Nicole C. 1 year ago on Google
    The church is a slight walk from the light rail stop, but it is in a quiet and peaceful location surrounded by trees. The church is small but aesthetically impressive. I don’t know much about the history and I only tagged along with my group, so from my philistine perspective, I don’t have much to say except that I’d probably be satisfied not paying the entrance fee and admiring the structure from outside.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Mihaela B. 2 years ago on Google
    A bit disappointing as the church is fenced in and closed due to Covid for the entire season in 2021. It is difficult to see it properly through the fence and it makes the entire experience sad and disappointing, especially when you travel from far to see it. The church itself is beautiful, but I wouldn't go a second time.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Taco C. 3 years ago on Google
    When I went to this cool church, it was during the offseason. Unfortunately, I could not go inside the building as it was closed, but it was still fun to look around. I saw the building on a meme on Instagram, originally from Tumblr. The building is made from 400-year-old wood, made with no nails or glue, and has dragons built into it to ward off the evil spirits. The scenery is beautiful, and has a nice short hike to get to it. Online research says that a radical black metal musician burned down the original church alongside a couple of other churches, and it took about six years to rebuild it. The musician was charged with arson and murder, but not for this specific church, the Fantoft Stavkirke (Fantoft Stav Church).
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vega T. 1 year ago on Google
    Wow, one of the most beautiful churches i have seen in my life. It's black due to the pine tar that covers it (it gets renewed every couple years). This tar also gives it a fresh foresty smell and keeps the wood from weathering. Tip: We waited for folks outside of the site and asked for their stickers to enter, and saved the 10€ fee.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ana S. 1 year ago on Google
    Might be the most special church in Bergen, with viking, Christian and protestant elements. The church dates back to the 1150, but it was completely rebuilt in 1997 after it burned in 1992. Being a stave church, it's built entirely out of wood (same type of wood was used for the rebuild too), which makes it so simple and special. There are several beautiful Norse old carvings, such as dragons, which, by the old Norse mythology, used to keep evil spirits at bay. There's also a small cross on the inside roof of the building, showing the beginnings of Christianity. There are several nice stories behind this church too, one of them having to do with the small window on the left. Norway was deeply affected by the Leprosy disease for 500 years (check out the Leprosy museum in Bergen for more details), and the infected people were not allowed in the church, but they had a special place outside right next to this small window, where they could listen to the church service and pray. Ask for details there!;) Only 70 NOK for adults, 50 for students. The surrounding area is a nice forest, lovely to wander around too. Easy to get to Fantom station by metro, line 1, from the city centre, and then walk 10 minutes to the church area. Lovely authentic experience.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Griff H. 7 months ago on Google
    A brilliant church, definitely worth a visit, especially as it is free with the Bergen card. Although it is extremely sad that it was burned down by a disgusting neo-ñäz|, it is brilliant that it has been rebuilt and still looks like an impressive and ancient stave church! It’s great that there are a few small artefacts from the original church remaining, as well. One thing I must say, however, is that the church is often completely swamped with cruise tour tourists, and is also surprisingly small. Still, definitely worth a visit, and you should go inside if you can.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Diogo S. 7 months ago on Google
    Quick tip: if you're flying from/to bergen, do this place on your way to /from the airport. It's such a quick place to visit but it's wonderful. Loved everything, including the forest around and the small hike in it (very small)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Phoenix S. 4 years ago on Google
    This church is so beautiful 😍 the carvings are so detailed and beautiful. The location is a little hidden, you have to follow a path into the woods and all of a sudden... there it is. There is a little cost to get in and see it and there are bathrooms close by - that was nice. Definitely worth the trip there! ❤️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 MARIA GRAZIA P. 6 months ago on Google
    What a wonderful visit here. Been in July. As students we had a discount on the ticket price and we were suggested to scan a code to have some information on the church. This place is within 30 min from Bergen and a short walk first in the quiet residential surroundings and then in the forest, but the path is easy for everyone. The church is one of the few remnants in Norway. It’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like this before. Definitely it’s worth a visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Juan M. 9 months ago on Google
    My 3rd time here but now with my family, you buy your tickets there and if you need a tour guide you can also get there,(normally is one of the person who sells you the ticket), is a small place but so beautiful , really worth it if you visit Bergen.

  • 4/5 Adam C. 4 months ago on Google
    Beautiful Church. Absolutely worth the visit. Just hop of the 1 train at Fantoft and it’s a pleasant 15 minute walk, but it is mostly uphill. I would suggest renting one of the city scooters and riding up the hill on that. The church is closed throughout most of winter. It is still worth a visit during closed hours. You can still get pretty close to the church and see it through the chain link fence. It could use some more signs outside telling us about the history. Especially for off-season visitors

  • 5/5 Stephen B. 8 months ago on Google
    Beautiful stave church in very good condition. The surrounding trees lend to the beauty and peace of the area.

  • 2/5 mahilli86 7 months ago on Google
    Wirkt sehr deplatziert, und der Eintritt ist unangemessen hoch. Die Kirche an sich ist aber schön. Leider ist der Zaun sehr nah an der Kirche, das nimmt den Charme noch mehr. Dann lieber Hedalen in die Reiseroute einplanen und hier die Zeit sparen.

  • 5/5 Traveler 7 months ago on Google
    Very nice church very close to Bergen. Pass by if you are coming from the airport. There is a small parking from where you should go approx. 3 mins to reach the church, so it’s very close to the parking.

  • 3/5 Nathan W. 7 months ago on Google
    Für die Praktik dass man diese Kirche umzäunen muss und 75 NOK für den Eintritt verlangt lohn es sich nicht. Natürlich, die Kirche ist schön und speziell. Aber im Inneren bietet Sie nicht sehr viel und es ist düster. Das viele Holz ist eindrucksvol, ja. Aber nicht die 75 NOK wert. Die Informationen welche zusätzlich als QR Code zur Verfügung gestellt wird ist die öffntlich zugängliche Webseite. Man zahlt also nicht einmal für Informationen, Infotafeln oder Broschüre.

  • 4/5 Krasi K. 7 months ago on Google
    Interesting architecture from outside and inside, surrounded by forest, which is lovely to walk around. Easy to reach from Fantoft stop of light train (tram) 1.

  • 5/5 Lars W. 8 months ago on Google
    Sehr schöne Stabkirche, zwar nur ein Nachbau, weil die richtige Kirche abgebrannt war, aber trotzdem empfehlenswert. Die Leichenhalle mit dem Wunschstein haben wir nicht gefunden🤔

  • 5/5 Neva F. 6 months ago on Google
    Accessible by rail or bus, we chose to walk the round trip on a beautiful September day. We beat the tour busses, but their stop was not long and the small church encourages a quick walk through. Since this is the remake following the fire, the smell of fresh cut wood remained strong and sitting in the church was peaceful. A single restroom was available with small charge. Trails a bit uneven and would be very difficult if not impossible for a wheelchair. A stroller is possible. Recommend the visit if you have time as it is out of town a little way.

  • 5/5 Joseph K. 6 months ago on Google
    We visited en route to the airport from central Bergen. As others had suggested it is straight forward to get to and worth a look. Not many stave churches exist in Norway and this is a beautiful example of how they looked. Paid to enter at the gate, there is a fence all round the property. A couple of girls were sitting at a table with a bank card machine to take the fee. 150kr for us both if I remember correctly. We had a good look round, it is a very peaceful location at the top of a hill surrounded by trees. Do go and look.

  • 3/5 Maurice K. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful church with extraordinary construction in a lonely forest. It is nice to visit even in autumn. Unfortunately, the church itself was closed and guarded by a fence. Maybe there will be a chance to free the whole potential of this recommendable attraction soon.

  • 5/5 Jeremy J. 10 months ago on Google
    Beautiful stave church just 20 mins from Bergen's city centre (tram is free). Best views are from the top of a small hill just beside the church. Please be aware that you will not be able to go into the church as the structure is fenced off.

  • 5/5 Glukhov Lighting D. 9 months ago on Google
    The place is beautiful and mysterious. The church is surrounded by a grid entrance is paid, but you can be smart to take a picture from the outside for free)))

  • 4/5 Dan B. 9 months ago on Google
    Steep walk from the parking area to the hilltop where the church is located. It is a very cool building and a neat example of the architecture and style of the stave church. Just don't be disappointed that it's not an old building; it's a recent reconstruction and you won't be visiting a historic building, but new construction on a historic site. I probably would have passed on this visit since we saw and entered a historic version in Oslo.

  • 5/5 Jane B. 1 year ago on Google
    A unique church, recently built but based on an older version. It was very helpful having a guide to explain the various features in and around the church.

  • 2/5 Siu Shan T. 1 year ago on Google
    The internal of the church should be a remake. It would be better to have more explanation or guide setup there. If you are going to or have visited the stave church in the cultural village in Oslo, you don’t need to see this one. It’s 70 NOK per adult.

  • 5/5 Andrea G. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful Fantoft Stavkirke , a wonderful medieval church built entirely of wood, with an interesting and particular history.I literally loved this particular wooden construction completely surrounded by trees. My emotion, the blissful and dreamy expression. The wood around the church creates a unique atmosphere, it almost gives a sense of protection.

  • 5/5 Marsha N. 1 year ago on Google
    It's a wooden replica of the original Stave Church. Only as a tourist attraction, it doesn't function as an actual church anymore. Very interesting story however. Go see it!

  • 5/5 Cassie M. 1 year ago on Google
    There's a path with concrete steps and a railing that lead up the church which is tucked into the trees. It's a very nice, quiet space. Security is high here, which is why their is a fence and cameras. Also, before you complain about the entrance fee, remember that they exist to preserve, protect and educate people about these historic buildings.

  • 4/5 Jo T. 3 years ago on Google
    Nestled in the middle of tall trees, this is a rebuilt stave church fashioned from the original one that was burned down years ago. The carvings inside were so intricate, combining the ancient Norwegian mysticism (dragon heads) and Christianity (an altar with a figure of supposed to be Christ). You need to pay kr50 to get inside. Different prices for students and kids.

  • 1/5 Rałał J. 2 years ago on Google
    The church would probably be nice, if it weren't surrounded by a hideous chain fence. And it's closed due to corona. Don't bother.

  • 5/5 Ian B. 2 years ago on Google
    Great church but sadly closed due to corona

  • 5/5 Jessica P. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful church! Unfortunately it was closed and surrounded by a fence. But it was lovely to walk around the view from the outside.


Call +47 55 28 07 10 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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