Undredal The church is a board-clad stave church from 1147 - and is said to be the smallest in Scandinavia that is still in use. The church was first built as a chapel and was named St. Nicolai Chapel.
The village with the wild mountains and steep slopes is called Undredal, the small hamlet by the Aurlandsfjord, which is one of the four parishes in Aurland prestegjeld. This small community Undredal has its own church, but has a priest together with the other parishes in the municipality. The church has no churchyard, and Undredal church therefore has a cemetery at Vangen church in the main parish.
Until 1859, Undredal and Nærøy were one parish. Then Nærøy was separated and a church was built on Bakka. Undredal church is one of the oldest in the country, and is said to be the smallest in Scandinavia that is still in use. When the roof was repaired a few years ago, the year 1147 was found carved into a roof truss. It is therefore believed that the church was built or put into use that year.
Stave church
The church was first built as a stave church and was then called St. Nicolai Kapell. Another old date can be found in the land register Bergen Kalvskinn. There it is written that the parish priest in Undredal, Pål Bårdson, was appointed bishop of Nidaros in 1321. In old writings, it has been found that the church had a major upheaval in 1722. It is believed that it was then rebuilt as it stands today.
5 The church has about 40 seats. The chandelier with the five carved animal heads may be from the Middle Ages. An old kneeling stool bears the date 1647. Perhaps it was a gift for the 500th anniversary. The pulpit has the year 1696. The two brass candlesticks on the altar date from 1702. The chalice is at least as old.
Many mysteries
On the wall of the church hangs a copper baptismal font, decorated with a lion at the bottom. The dish is to be placed in a hoop that is used to hang on the side of one of the front pews.
One of the bells in the church is from the Middle Ages and now hangs down in the nave. Of the two hanging in the bell tower, one was cast in Bergen in 1824. The other, which is more recent, bears the inscription "Lord make me obedient to your peace". The church in Undredal is one of the few in the country where you can stand on the church floor and ring the bells.
The church was restored in 1962. At least three layers of overpainting were washed away, and the old glue-colored decor that had been used for a long time was found. The walls are mostly covered with painted vines, and the vaulted ceiling with stars and figures.
During the oldest measurement, distinctive images have been carved on the wall panels. Among other things, a man with an axe, a mythical animal and various symbolic signs that are consistent with Undredal-kyrkja's great age.
One can only assume that she enjoys the lies that are waiting to be examined.
The old farmhouse in Undredal is probably small in itself, but it is a great cultural treasure and well worth a visit. The church is protected.