Flåm Church (Flåm Kyrkje)

While Flåm Church (Flåm kyrkje), in the old village centre, is visible from the Flåm Railway it is well worth the very easy 3.5kms walk, lovely in itself, out from Flåm to see it. The old brown wooden church and graveyard are beautiful in themselves but absolutely stunning as they are, set nestled by the Flåm river with their beautiful mountain backdrop. Sit on the bench in the graveyard and just look around. You will quickly appreciate how the village originally got its name. Flåm literally means “little place between steep mountains”. Most apt, I am sure you will agree.

The present church, which replaces an earlier stave church, was built by master builder Magne Essen in 1670. It is one of around 350 Evangelical Lutheran churches built after the 1537 Reformation. While intimate it is a lot more open and less claustrophobic than the earlier stave churches. The pulpit took a much more prominent place in post reformation churches like this one given a shift towards preaching and away for the more formal Latin service and emphasis of numerous altars. This church, one of around sixty 17th century churches remaining in Norway, really has stood the test of time and I would not have imagined it being nearly 350 years old.

Flåm was badly hit by flooding in October 2014, caused by a large snowmelt in the surrounding mountain areas combined with heavy rainfall. Sadly this flood resulted in significant water damage to the church such that the interior of the church was closed to visitors (and indeed parishioners) in 2015. It was expected to open again in 2016. I didn’t realise it was closed (until I got there) and was disappointed not to be able to properly see the interior and, in particular, the church’s wall paintings/reliefs. Looking in through the window I was pleased to see that (at least some of) these beautiful decorations seem to remain intact with damage seemingly restricted to the floor area.

If you are not up to the 7km return walk and are arriving into Flåm via the Flåm Railway you could consider, assuming you don’t have too much luggage, organising with the train guard to get off at Hareina, two stops before Flåm station and a short walk from the church. As the train will not wait for you you will have to walk into Flåm. Of course you could organise a car (in Flåm) and take it one way or in both directions. While walking to the old village centre I noticed a few bus-stops along the way. I have no information on local buses, nor did I see one, so if interested I suggest you ask at the Visitor Centre.

Address: Old Flåm Village Centre

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For my next Flåm review click HERE.
To start reading at the beginning of my Flåm reviews loop click HERE.

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