Preserving Norwegian Stave Churches (FutureLearn)

Stave Churches in Norway are admired worldwide for their rich history and intricate architecture. Some have been standing for almost 1,000 years and one, the Urnes Stave Church, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On this course, you will explore what makes Norwegian Stave Churches unique and how they have been preserved.

You will learn the definition of Stave Churches and what makes them different from each other. With real-life examples, you will explore the traditional craftmanship and tools used to restore Stave Churches in Norway, as well as understand the challenges in preserving them.

What topics will you cover?

- The definition of a Stave Church

- Different types of Stave Churches

- Challenges in preserving Stave Churches

- Examples of restoring Stave Churches

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

- Identify the characteristics of a Stave Church

- Explain the remaining groups of Stave Churches in Norway

- Reflect upon the challenges in preserving the Norwegian Stave Churches

- Explore a national cultural heritage initiative exemplified by the Norwegian Stave Church Restoration Programme