About Stavechurch.com
Stewardship, Purpose, and Partnership
A Shared Responsibility to Preserve
The Stavkirke Owners’ Forum works to safeguard this heritage for future generations. The 28 stave churches are owned by:
Key partners in the preservation and management of these churches include the Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren), the Church of Norway, and KA, the employers’ organization for church institutions.
The Norwegian Society for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments, which owns 8 stave churches and has worked with cultural heritage preservation since 1844
The Church of Norway, which owns 17 stave churches through local parish councils across 15 municipalities, most still in active use
The open-air museums Norsk Folkemuseum, Maihaugen, and Sverresborg, which together own 3 stave churches
Stave Churches In Context
The Initiative Behind Stavechurch.com
Foundation
This website was created on the initiative of the Stavkirke Owners’ Forum, in collaboration with the Norwegian Society for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments. Through www.stavechurch.com, our aim is to present and share information about all 28 remaining medieval stave churches in Norway.
Purpose
Each year, approximately 500,000 people visit these churches, and interest in tourism continues to grow. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for those responsible for preserving these unique cultural landmarks. While we want as many people as possible to experience them, this must be done in a sustainable way. By highlighting all 28 churches, we aim to help distribute visitor traffic more evenly.
Partners
The People Behind the Initiative
Ove Ekerbakke
Leader, Stavkyrkjeeigarforum
Warden, Øystre Slidre Joint Parish Council
Ingrid Grytdal Matheson
Secretary, Stavkyrkjeeigarforum
Special Counsel, KA
Kornelius Gulbrandsen
Project Lead, Stavechurch.com
Consultant, KonsulentG.com