Norway: Kaupanger Stave Church
It takes a ferry ride and a twisting road to get to another gem of a wooden stave church – Kaupanger Stave Church. The church, built in 1140, is absolutely stunning and in my opinion better then the more famous Borgund Stave Church. First is the setting – on a high ground with the fjord scenery in the background. Second is the structure itself – it has the largest number of stave (or flat sided wooden beams/panels of any other stave church in Norway. And last and most impressive is the interior – lavish decoration with paintings on wood, ornate pulpit, and amazing medieval paintings.
