Ringebu Parsonage and Stave Church

800 years of tranquillity – just down in the valley

I have to admit something: I only discovered Ringebu Parsonage myself a few weeks ago. I attended an event there, and when I walked through the gate and had a look around, my first thought was: How on earth have I not visited this place earlier?

Art exhibitions and gardens at Ringebu Parsonage

The main building was erected in 1743 (after the previous one burnt down – some centuries are dramatic in that way), and today you can stroll around the beautiful garden, admire the rose beds, pop by the Hophouse and enjoy a coffee with a view over the Gudbrandsdalen valley. Throughout the summer, the parsonage is also home to exhibitions, presenting established and up-and-coming artists every year, in surroundings steeped in history.

Something unique happens when contemporary art meets historical heritage in this way.

Something magical.

This is the sort of place where you suddenly realise that two hours have passed without you noticing it. I know this from experience.

Ringebu Stave Church from 1220 — one of only 28 remaining in Norway

And just below, separated only by a garden and a few hundred metres, lies Ringebu Stave Church. Raised in the year 1220, it is one of only 28 remaining stave churches in Norway.

And the red church tower that dominates the church outline? That was added in 1631. The portal adorned with dragon carvings? That is the original from the Middle Ages. And from under the floors, more than 900 coins and other artefacts have been recovered, many of them dating back to medieval times and now on display at the parsonage.