The Sister Churches

The two “Sister Churches”, St Mary’s Church and St. Nicholas Church, are built right next to each other. In our age this seems peculiar, but in earlier times this wasn’t so unusual. Both the churches were built during the 12th century in a Roman style and later adapted to a gothic style. The compact stone walls have provided shelter for pilgrims and housed church services for kings and bishops. This is a place where people have wandered to for centuries, and it has been a stop on the way to Nidaros for many pilgrims.

The oldest church, St. Mary’s Church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. The church was built around 1150 and was probably used as a parish church in the Middle Ages. The church has a simple layout in roughly cut stone. During the restoration in 1990, a stained glass window was installed in the eastern window. The window has three parts including a St. Mary motiv in blue. The church has a baroque organ and is today mostly used for concerts and other cultural events.

The northern church, St. Nicholas Church, is dedicated to St. Nicholas - the patron saint for wayfarers. St Nicholas Church was built around 1200, and was likely used as a county church in the Middle Ages. It is a Roman stone church built as a basilica, a small cathedral. Now, it is this church that serves as a parish church.

During summer, both these churches are open in the day for pilgrims and other travellers. There are guided tours in the church in the weekdays at 14:00 - it costs NOK 100.

Summer: On Tuesdays there is a morning prayer at 09.00, Wednesday midday prayer at 12:00, Thursdays evening mass at 18.00 and Sundays morning mass at 09.00. Every Sunday in the summer season there are concerts in St. Mary’s Church. Tickets can be bought at the entrance.