Borgund Stave Church

Because wood is far less suited to the tests of time than stone, there aren’t many ancient wooden churches left standing today. This contributes to the uniqueness of Norway's Borgund Stave Church. One of the best-preserved buildings of its kind in Europe, this gorgeous medieval wooden cathedral from 1250 seems like it belongs in the animated film Frozen. The term "stave church" refers to the vertical wooden boards that make up its walls. The four corner posts are supported by a stone foundation and joined to one another by ground sills.

Structurally, the building has been described as a "cube within a cube", each independent of the other. The inner "cube" is formed by continuous columns that rise from ground level to support the roof. The top of the arcade is formed by arched buttresses, knee jointed to the columns. Above the arcade, the columns are linked by cross-shaped, diagonal trusses, commonly dubbed "Saint Andrew's crosses"; these carry arched supports that offer the visual equivalent of a "second story". While not a functional gallery, this is reminiscent of contemporary second-story galleries of large stone churches elsewhere in Europe. Smaller beams running between these upper supporting columns help clamp everything firmly together. The weight of the roof is thus supported by buttresses and columns, preventing downward and outward movement of the stave walls.

There are four dragon heads carved onto the roof's gable ends, and there are carvings inside the archways, despite the fact that it may not appear as ornate from a distance as some stone churches. All of it contributes to the Borgund Stave Church's undeniably stunning design.

Location: Vestland, Borgund, Norway

Architect: Unknown