Welcome to the current series of Posts from Your Archives in 2020 and if you would like to participate with two of your posts from 2019, you will find all the details in this post: New series of Posts from Your Archives 2020
This is the first post from Amanda of Something to Ponder About and this week she gives us a wonderful tour of the – Numedal Valley in Norway
Since medieval times, one of the main routes Traders and Pilgrims used to traverse Norway between Oslo and Bergen, was via the Numedal Valley, which stretches from Kongsberg in the south, to Geilo and the Hardangervidda Plateau, in the North west.
Hardangervidda
Due to this long history, Numedal has one of Norway’s most concentrated collections of medieval buildings and artefacts, comprising over 40 heritage timber buildings dating from the Middle Ages. Visit Middelalderdalen
The Norwegian Stabbur
By necessity, Norwegians had to find an effective way to store food over a long harsh winter and designed a uniquely shaped log ‘Stabbur’, or food storage house, that would prevent food from spoiling, or being eaten by mice and rats.
In latter times however, the visitor to the Numedal Valley will find that most of these historic Log buildings have been converted into authentic and traditional guest lodgings.
Nordli farm Stabbur, where I spent a night
You can sleep the night in one of these beautiful Stabburs, some which contain walls and everyday objects that have been decorated with the traditional Norwegian Art known as Rosemaling,, in a style peculiar to the Numedal Valley.
A medieval Stabbur in the Numedal Valley
The highest number of Stabburs of any Norwegian valley are located in Numedal. And if that is not enough medieval history for you, the Valley also is home to no less than four Stave churches.
Rollag Stave Church
The Rollag Stave church is one of the better known Stave Churches in Numedal, but as all are off the main highways, they are a little hard to find. ‘Rollag Stavkirken‘ is located a few kilometres north of the village Rollag, in the Numedal Valley. It was probably originally built in the second half of the 12th century, though not all of it is original.
Initially, the church has been a simple church with a rectangular nave. First mentioned in 1425, it was rebuilt around 1660 into a cruciform church. Around 1760, the church was extended to the west.
Early Rosemaling and Hanseatic Art
The walls of Rollag Stave Church are adorned with fruit and biblical motives, which were painted in 1683, and the forerunner to the more traditional forms of Rosemaling. This was following on from the reformation. The close ties with the Hanseatic countries is exemplified in the religious figures of Mary with child, which originated in the German city of Lubeck, around the 1500’s.
The baptismal font dates from the middle ages whilst the altar dates from 1670. The blue lattice like structure in the left of the above photo is known by the archaic term which translates as: Wife’s or Widow’s ‘cage.’
Shocking as it may seem, women were seen as property in medieval times and as such, if a married Priest passed away, the next Priest assigned to that Parish, would inherit not only the Church and its land, but the Widow and any children as well! Times have changed!
My logo for my art
This was a logo I painted and tweaked in a photo editor for my artwork. One of the reasons for visiting Norway in such depth was to study the Norwegian Rosemaling first hand, as inspiration for further artwork and fabric designs.
Forestwood is the name of my website and online shops.
©Forestwood Folk Art 2019
Trondheim Norway
About Amanda
I am very glad that you stopped by and I hope you find something interesting to ponder about! Blogging is all about sharing one’s thoughts, embracing a global community and making connections, right? Without readers, what good is a blog?
I’m an egalitarian, environmental traditionalist who lives in Australia, however I am an Aussie who is anything but a sun lover. In fact, I am a bit obsessed with cool, wintry climates and Scandinavia, in general, as you will soon find out.
But don’t go thinking it is all about darkness and gloom here, at Something to Ponder About, because if you do, you would be wrong. I write about many different things that interest, puzzle and frustrate me, and things that important to share with others.
Like sharing and discussing pearls of wisdom in Sunday Sayings (formerly Proverbial Friday inviting contributions to Photo challenges on Friendly Friday; writing Travel and Book reviews, tutorials on Traditional Arts and Crafts, as well as good old fashioned home Cooking.
As I think everyone’s opinion is important, please feel welcome to leave a comment on any of my posts and we can have a conversation!
Come and join me. Everyone is welcome here; there’s always Something to Ponder About.
~ Amanda
Connect to Amanda
Blog: Something to Ponder About
Facebook: Forestwood Designs
Twitter: @Forestwoodfolk
My thanks to Amanda for letting me share this post with you and you will find much to enjoy if you head over to browse her archives. Thanks Sally.
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine 
I loved seeing the photos of Norway. Such a beautiful country!
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Fabulous, thanks Sharon..hugsx
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It is a stunning country visually, and the food and people are hearty and fun too! Have you visited, Sharon?
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That was delightful. What an amazing culture and how it adapted to the environment. Thanks for sharing.
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A wonderful place to visit.. on our to do list when we can all travel again..hugs
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I can recommend quite a few Norwegian spots of interest, Sally! When we are able to travel freely again.
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We have long had Scandinavia on our wish list and Norway in particular. Looking forward to it Amanda.
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That is exciting!
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What a lovely share, Sally. The stabburs are so unique and the church is beautiful. I could take a whole day exploring its artwork. Thanks to Amanda for the history and the tour. 🙂
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Would love to visit when all this is over… Amanda certainly gave a wonderful tour..xx
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The evolution of the artwork into its own style and its symbolisms is deeply connected with history, and as a history buff, I wondered if that is what attracted me to the artwork in the very beginning. It was either that or my Scandinavian heritage! It was such a pleasure to introduce you to Norwegina Rosemaling in the Stave churches, D. Wallace Peach.
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I love anything ancient and culturally unique Amanda. It’s like stepping back in time and connecting to those who left their imprints on the land. Great post.
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Absolutely, D. I feel that same way. And for me, it is especially nice as its also a way of connecting to my ancestors and bringing interest in preserving those items of cultural heritage.
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I love anything Scandinavian. I am fascinated by the idea of the next priest taking over the widow and her family. Logically I guess this was to ensure the widow would not be left homeless and probably penniless. But what an idea for a story, she might get lucky with a new improved model or perhaps not… My mother’s church once had a vicar who had married the widow of the vicar he used to board with, the widow was forty years older than her new husband!
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Yikes Janet.. that last snippet was a show stopper.. I hope they were happy.. I am sure that she might have been! xx
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It is interesting from a social perspective and says a lot about the lack of rights of a woman and children in the time. They were seen as mere chattels. You said you liked anything Scandinavian, do you have heritage there, tidalscribe?
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A fascinating post. Loved the art work and the history.
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Glad you enjoyed Mary.. looks like a great place to visit. xx
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I am so glad you enjoyed the post, Mary. Perhaps you might be tempted to visit yourself one day?
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I enjoyed that little bit of history. Nice to learn about Amanda. ❤
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Thanks Debby ♥
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Just a note to thank you, Sally, for the opportunity to showcase some of the historic Norwegian cultural heritage and icons.
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I was unfamiliar with Stabburs until today. They look like something right out of a fairy tale. It’s not often when you a structure where the top floor is bigger than the bottom.
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Looks like a fascinating place to visit…very unusual..xx
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Exactly Pete! They are so unusual in their cantilevered form. Yet that is why the rats found it difficult to get into the food! Ingenious design and obviously, it doesn’t fall down in a hurry, as these structures have been standing for over 700 years! That is Norwegian pine for you! Strong as….
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