TRAVEL

On the trail of Viking legends in Norway

Stave churches were inspired by Gothic stone churches in the rest of Europe, including Notre Dame in Paris. But, Norwegians built in wood instead of stone.
Stave churches were inspired by Gothic stone churches in the rest of Europe, including Notre Dame in Paris. But, Norwegians built in wood instead of stone.
Curious Traveler
Stave churches combined Norse mythology with Christian symbols, because they were built at a time when the two religions overlapped.
Stave churches combined Norse mythology with Christian symbols, because they were built at a time when the two religions overlapped.
Curious Traveler
Only about 30 of these wooden churches remain in Norway.
Only about 30 of these wooden churches remain in Norway.
Curious Traveler
Gol Stave Church in Oslo. A "stave" is the tall wooden log posted vertically, to give the church its height.
Gol Stave Church in Oslo. A "stave" is the tall wooden log posted vertically, to give the church its height.
Curious Traveler
Travel journalist Christine van Blokland at the Gol Stave Church in Oslo.
Travel journalist Christine van Blokland at the Gol Stave Church in Oslo.
Curious Traveler
The interior of the Gol Stave Church. These are the "staves" or tall vertical logs, that the churches are named after.
The interior of the Gol Stave Church. These are the "staves" or tall vertical logs, that the churches are named after.
Curious Traveler
A mural of saints inside the Gol Stave Church. Beneath the painting are runic inscriptions, dating back more than a thousand years.
A mural of saints inside the Gol Stave Church. Beneath the painting are runic inscriptions, dating back more than a thousand years.
Curious Traveler
Vikings legend debunked: Vikings never wore horns on their helmets. That was a little creative license thanks to Wagner's opera costumer. This particular horned Viking adorns the lobby of Oslo's National Theatre.
Vikings legend debunked: Vikings never wore horns on their helmets. That was a little creative license thanks to Wagner's opera costumer. This particular horned Viking adorns the lobby of Oslo's National Theatre.
Curious Traveler
The Oseberg Viking ship was discovered in 1904, when a Norwegian farmer was digging on his land. Historians date the ship to pre-800 AD.
The Oseberg Viking ship was discovered in 1904, when a Norwegian farmer was digging on his land. Historians date the ship to pre-800 AD.
Curious Traveler
Viking ship design is unique: flat on the bottom, wide in the middle, and tall on both ends. This enabled travel over wide-open oceans as well as windy, narrow rivers and fjords.
Viking ship design is unique: flat on the bottom, wide in the middle, and tall on both ends. This enabled travel over wide-open oceans as well as windy, narrow rivers and fjords.
Curious Traveler
Travel journalist Christine van Blokland at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
Travel journalist Christine van Blokland at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
Curious Traveler
The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo houses entire intact Viking ships.
The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo houses entire intact Viking ships.
Curious Traveler
Vikings topped off the bow of their ships with scary serpents and other Norse mythological creatures to ward off the enemy.
Vikings topped off the bow of their ships with scary serpents and other Norse mythological creatures to ward off the enemy.
Curious Traveler
The tall and proud Viking ship bow could be seen over tall waves and steep fjords as Viking approached new shores.
The tall and proud Viking ship bow could be seen over tall waves and steep fjords as Viking approached new shores.
Curious Traveler
Incredible pieces of Viking history are preserved at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
Incredible pieces of Viking history are preserved at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
Curious Traveler
The Gokstad Viking ship was discovered in 1879 by two teenage boys, who, out of boredom, decided to dig on their farm. Boredom cured!
The Gokstad Viking ship was discovered in 1879 by two teenage boys, who, out of boredom, decided to dig on their farm. Boredom cured!
Curious Traveler
Beautifully carved detailing of creatures from Norse mythology.
Beautifully carved detailing of creatures from Norse mythology.
Curious Traveler
Viking ships like this one were built more than a thousand years ago. They are beautifully preserved today in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
Viking ships like this one were built more than a thousand years ago. They are beautifully preserved today in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
Curious Traveler
Vikings decorated their ships with Norse mythological creatures like this serpent.
Vikings decorated their ships with Norse mythological creatures like this serpent.
Curious Traveler
Details of intricate wood carvings on a Viking ship.
Details of intricate wood carvings on a Viking ship.
Curious Traveler