Nova spotlights, mounted on poles, illuminate and emphasize the ancient medieval Norwegian church

An open air museum with a small church, all nestled among the snow-covered coniferous forests. Trondheim, located in the Trøndelag region of Norway, hosts the open-air museum Sverresborg, where nature and history live together in an old-time synergy. This is where the Haltdalen Stavkirke is kept, in this unique museum. It may seem a marginal and irrelevant building at first sight, but it is actually one of the most important examples of Norwegian religious architecture, dating back to the Medieval period, considered a symbol of the Christian tradition and the transition from Paganism to Christianity in the region. The Stavkirke (wooden churches, in Norwegian) are the symbols of Nordic culture and are appreciated for their combination of Christian elements and Viking art influences.

Built in the 12th century, probably around 1170-1180, the Haltdalen stavkirke was originally located in the village of Haltdalen, being one of the oldest churches, with smaller dimensions compared to similar ones, such as those in Borgund or Urnes. Entirely made of wood, using both carpentry techniques typical of the Viking period and Norwegian Medieval architecture, the church is a relatively simple construction, consisting of a single rectangular nave and a small rectangular choir. The bearing structure consists of four heavy beams in the lower part and four in the upper part, connected to each other by corner posts. The walls are made of vertical wooden boards, which create a very rigid structure. Both the nave and the choir have two steeped slopes. The church has been moved, dismantled and relocated in earlier times, that is why parts from the old Ålen church were used for its redevelopment.

Light, which plays an increasingly significant role in the success of a project, has also been requalified, and Francesconi Architectural Light, thanks to its lighting partner TGS LYSTEKNIKK from Norway, has fielded NOVA adjustable spotlights. The spotlights were customised specifically for the project and were installed on poles made by Francesconi Architectural Light at different non-standard heights, in order to meet the customer’s requirements. The aim was to highlight the church, both in terms of structure and building materials, creating a suggestive atmosphere around it, focused on the building, preventing light pollution in the surrounding natural environment.

A brilliantly achieved result, thanks to the NOVA collection devices, which perfectly suit the project thanks to their resistance in harsh environments and extreme weather conditions, such as those of Norway, where minimum temperatures in winter can reach up to -25 degrees. The high degree of water tightness also ensures maximum reliability for the whole collection.

Francesconi Architectural Light