I enjoy photographing churches and tried to do that in Lofoten as well. However, access to their interior was difficult, as they were all locked, when I tried to enter. So different from our English churches. But I captured a few from the outside instead.
My absolute favourite is Flakstad Church, built in 1780. It is like most Norwegian churches built entirely of wood and is unusual in the respect that the tower is set not at one end but in the middle of the building. There are a few churches in Norway from this period that have their spires set in a similar way. Also the onion-formed cupola on the spire is quite unique and reminds me a little of some orthodox churches.
I have looked at the most marvellous images on the web of the inside of this church and very much regret that we weren’t able to see it or to participate in worship in in. It is built of half-timber (korsvirke) and the wooden interior is exposed and some panels painted in very attractive designs.
Entirely different is Buknes Church (images above). It is situated in the village of Gravdal, between Leknes and Ballstad. Jennifer and I passed it every time we travelled from our rorbue in Ballstad to different areas of Lofoten. It is imposing, set on a hill and very tall and has a capacity to receive 600 worshippers. It is also a relatively recent church that opened in 1905. In the evening it was lit up by flood lights outside and was very warm and welcoming on our drives although it is quite imposing.
And my final church is Reine Church. Reine is the village from which my previous post came. The church is architecturally more traditional (at least as I see churches) and is white-painted. It is built in the long church style at the end of the nineteenth century.
