Church | Cultural Heritage
Balke Church
Situated along Gudbrandsdalsleden
Medieval church built in 1170. The church once had a unique collection of life sized figures of saints from the period after 1250.
Balke Church is located in Balke in Toten. This medieval church is made of stone and was built in 1170. In 1754 the church was extended westwards. A wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, dated 1260 to 1270, was once part of the Balke Church interior, but is now in the University Museum of Antiquities/Universitetes Oldsakssamling in Oslo.
The church is especially known for its altarpiece, Mariatavlen, which dates back to the late Middle Ages. Mariatavlen is one of two altarpieces that were made in Norway. Several saints, including St. Olaf, can be seen on the alter piece.
Reference: www.kirkesok.no and www.snl.no/Balke_kirke.
Photo: Dag Bertelsen/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain.