The Ministry of Environment has set aside an additional NOK 10 million in order to better secure and fireproof Norway's ancient stave churches.
Around 1000 of these unique wooden churches were built in Norway between 1100 and 1300.
When Fantoft stave church near Bergen was set on fire and burned down in 1992, it became clear Norway's stave churches were in need of more security measures. The NOK 10 million are meant to help speed up the process of installing modern fire and surveillance equipment in all of Norway's 28 preserved stave churches.
"Last year we were given a report that shows a great need for fireproofing of the stave churches. They are not at a satisfactory level today. We should not take any unnecessary risks with these buildings," says Minister of Environment Bård Vegar Solhjell (SV/Socialist Left Party).
21 out of 28 stave churches have already undergone renovations as part of a larger restoration project, but security flaws and the need for more fireproofing have also been discovered in these churches.
Some churches are more exposed than others, and the work with securing them will start first.
"We fear fire, period," says Solhjell. "We are talking about buildings that will be very exposed if a fire occurs."
The Minister of Environment estimates that the work will be completed around the same time as the general restoration project, in 2015.
(Aftenposten)
Julie Ryland
