Posted in North Dakota August 30, 2020 by

North Dakota’s Stunning Gol Stave Church Is An Architectural Masterpiece

Did you know that around 35% of North Dakota’s population is of Scandinavian descent? Many North Dakotan’s ancestors immigrated from countries like Norway or Sweden to start a life on the prairie in the 1800s. These people brought their culture with them so that today it’s common to see things like lefse with recipes passed down for generations or say things like “uff da” in ND. If you’re of Scandinavian descent, or simply enjoy seeing pretty things, there is a place in the state you must visit: the Scandinavian Heritage Park. Within it is a beautiful church in North Dakota unlike any other.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Located in Minot, North Dakota, the Scandinavian Heritage Park is a fun place for people of any descent to visit entirely for free. The centerpiece of the park is the magnificent Gol Stave Church.
Bobak Ha'Eri/Wikimedia commons
This church is impressive to see right off the bat. The longer you look at it, the more details you'll see and appreciate.
Linda H/Tripadvisor
The church was built as a replica of the original Gol Stave Church in Oslo, Norway, built around 1200. The wood structure is stunning inside and out.
ME Peters/Flickr
The church is nothing short of an architectural masterpiece. From every angle, you can see the impressive layers and ornate detailing of the structure. It's 60 feet tall.
Boatdock7/Tripadvisor
Up close, you can appreciate the intricate carvings in the wood that took hours upon hours to hand-create.
Keystone_Traveler/Tripadvisor
Inside the lofty wooden structure, they still hold weddings and special events. How cool would it be to have a wedding here?
scottcaps/Tripadvisor
The park includes more than just the Gol Stave Church, so be sure to stroll around the whole thing when you visit.
ME Peters/Flickr
Other features in the park include Scandinavian homes, statues of notable Scandinavian figures, and even a giant Dala Horse.
Lynda C/Tripadvisor

If you’d like to tour the Gol Stave Church, you can visit the Scandinavian Heritage Park from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM every day. Visit their website for more information.

Here are more beautiful churches in North Dakota. You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the works of art that are these structures!

Address: 1020 S Broadway, Minot, ND 58701, USA