Hvaler Church, Skjærhalden, Norway

Hvaler church is probably one of the oldest in Norway. According carbon dating methods on wood samples analyzed in 1960 it was originally built between 920 and 1080 AD. The current church nave dates mainly from the 12-13th centuries. Archeologists carried out extensive excavations during the restoration from 1953 to 1956. They discoverede there was a fireplace under the foundations dating from the age between 120 BC and 80 AD. There may have been a prehistoric pagan site of worship on the church site. Archeologists also found 804 coins under the choir floor. While many originate from Norway, some are from Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. Most of the coins date from the Middle Ages, the oldest is from 1130.

Hvaler church was privately owned from 1724 and became as a municipal property in 1860. The Renaissance style pulpit is from 1620. During its renovation in 1734, Andreas Schavenius, who later owned the church from 1759 to 1778, gave and mounted the canopy and Rococo ornaments. The limestone baptismal font dates from 1250-1300.

The Rococo style altar is from about 1750 and given by Andreas Schavenius. Featured on the altarpiece from 1759 is Eggert Munch's oil painting of the crucifixion. On the altar are two large brass candlesticks probably originating from Holland about 1600.

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Hvaler Kirke

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Tore Martin Helgesen (7 months ago)
Great old church that also has a cultural offer.

Tom Hauge (3 years ago)
Intimate and cozy even if it was obsession. Cozy priest.

Ole Jørgen Holte (Denthy) (4 years ago)
Very nice church, old and a lot of history to the place.

Alexander Lurud (4 years ago)
Cozy old church

Per Einar Rålm (5 years ago)
An old church with atmosphere and festive atmosphere.

Hvaler Church

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Church of St Donatus