The Borgund stave church dedicated to St Andrew, located in the town of the same name in Norway, was built around 1150, possibly replacing an older church. Archaeological research under the floor revealed traces of an earlier church or even a pagan temple.
Borgund stave church is the most famous of the 28 surviving stave churches in Norway and is first mentioned in 1342. In the 14th century, the church was extended with a presbytery and an apse. In the 19th century, the doors were modified to open outwards, a measure introduced after the tragic church fire in Grue in 1822, so that people could get out more quickly in case of fire.
The church remained in use until 1868, until a new church was built in Borgund. In 1877, the stave church was transferred to a heritage foundation and turned into a museum.
When we arrive at the little church, it is a cold and bleak October morning. It is water cold, and we are the first visitors. Anyone hoping for a nice sunny day for a photo of the little church is sorely mistaken. The golden autumn colours contrast beautifully with the almost black church.
My name is Gerry van Roosmalen, photographer and author with a passion for images and stories that touch. After years in the corporate world, I followed my heart and chose photography in 2002. I completed the Fotovakschool in Apeldoorn, specialising in portrait and reportage photography.
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