Cultural Heritage

Klokkerlåven

A major part of the building materials in Klokkerlåven originates from the last stave church in Hadeland, Grinaker church. Klokkerlåven is one of two known barns in Norway built with materials from a medieval church. Klokkerlåven belonged to the sachristian's (the word klokker in Norwegian) farm, hence the name. There are guided tours in the barn by appointment with Randsfjordmuseene/Hadeland Folk Museum. See the museum's programs and posters from the nature and culture path: www.randsfjordmuseene.no

Tingelstad church was completed here in 1866, replacing the two smaller churches Grinaker stave church and Tingelstad old church. Materials from the stave church were used to build Klokkerlåven. The two timbered transepts constitute barn and stall, while timber from the choir was used for a wall. The ceiling with pictures of angels became exterior cladding in the barn, and grain bins were made of the former church benches. Church doors, towers and windows were also used in the barn, and wall panels were placed under the floor of the barn.

For almost 60 years there was an debate about what should be done with Klokkerlåven, before in 1990 it was decided to renovate the barn and let it remain on its original site. The barn was at this time very overdue. Gran municipality, which owns the barn, signed an agreement with the Directorate for reconditioning and preservation/Riksantikvaren. The work was performed by Hadeland Folk Museum.

The restoration work revealed that the barn contained more stave material than was previously known. Inside the barn appears an exhibition that tells the story of Grinaker stave church and the barn.