Located at the open air Maihaugen museum in Lillehammer, Norway, the Garmo Stave Church situated by a small lake, is one of the museum’s most fascinating buildings. Originally built in the 13th century, this building has undergone intermittent expansions throughout the centuries, until 1730. It has a pointed tower, with dragon heads adorning the roof ridges, making it a unique sight on a church. While the church used to stand at Garmo, it was deconstructed, and the very same building materials were used to reconstruct it at Lillehammer.

This church is no stranger to celebrity history, as Knut Hamsun, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in the year 1920, was christened here in 1859. As you step into the church, the atmosphere created by the interior, such as the pulpit and the altar, will make you feel like you have been transported back to medieval times. To experience a slice of Norwegian worship from centuries ago, visit the Garmo Stave Church.