Wanderyn
Garmo Stave Church
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · NO

Garmo Stave Church

Getting around: Garmo stave church now stands at Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer, having been relocated there in the early 20th century - it's part of a visit to Maihaugen rather than a separate trip.
Hours: Follows Maihaugen's opening hours, generally daily in summer and reduced days/hours in winter.

Originally built in the Gudbrandsdalen valley village of Garmo, this small stave church was disassembled and moved to Maihaugen in Lillehammer in the early 1900s as part of the museum's founding collection, saving it from being lost when a larger replacement church was built in its original location. It now sits among the other historic buildings gathered at Maihaugen, giving visitors stave-church architecture without needing to travel further into the valley.

It's a relatively modest example compared to the largest stave churches elsewhere in Norway, but its presence within Maihaugen makes it an easy, low-effort stop for anyone already touring the open-air museum.

Garmo Stave Church FAQs

Is this church still in its original location?

No, it was moved from the village of Garmo in Gudbrandsdalen to Maihaugen in Lillehammer in the early 20th century.

Do I need a separate ticket to see it?

No, it's included as part of a visit to Maihaugen open-air museum, not a standalone site.

How old is the church?

It's a medieval stave church, though exact dating varies by source - it predates the modern era by several centuries.

Is it open in winter?

Access follows Maihaugen's own seasonal hours, which are reduced in winter.

How does it compare to other stave churches like Borgund?

It's smaller and less architecturally elaborate than the most famous examples like Borgund, but still a genuine medieval stave church worth seeing if you're already at Maihaugen.

Your travel graph

Ready to plan Garmo Stave Church?Planning a trip soon? Add it to build an itinerary.

Reviews/Comments

No comments yet — be the first.