Swiatynia Wang, Karpacz, Poland
Posted by: 
Arne1
N 50° 46.643 E 015° 43.447
33U E 551052 N 5625320
Vang stave church (Swiatynia Wang, also Vang stavkirke) is a stave church which was bought by the Prussian King and transferred from Vang in Norway and re-erected in 1842 in Karpacz in the Karkonosze mountains of Poland
Waymark Code: WM92XW
Location: Dolnośląskie, Poland
Date Posted: 06/20/2010
Views: 41
The Vang Stave Church is a unique monument to ancient Nordic art. It was originally built next to Lake Vang in Norway, from where it derives the name. In the 19th century the church proved too small and was sold. The Prussian King Frederick Wilhelm IV, bought it for 427 marks. It was outlined in its entirety, deconstructed and shipped to Berlin. In the end, the king decided that the church’s new home should be Karpacz.
The church is built of long-lasting Nordic pine. No nails were used in the construction, all the pieces were fit together using slots and grooves. All the ornamentation is related to the mysterious and fascinating culture of the Vikings. The peaks of the roofs are crowned with dragons heads, reminiscent of Viking long-boats. Atop a corner portal, there are two winged dragons, symbolising the struggle between good and evil. Stylised lions, on capitals, guard the entrance. Decorative semi-columns are encircled by trees, with the sculpted faces of Viking warriors, whose tongues are split. Runic script is found over the portals. Today it serves as an Augsburg-Evangelical Church.
Original Location: N 61° 07.440 W 008° 34.200
How it was moved: Disassembled
Type of move: Country to Country
Building Status: Public
Related Website: [Web Link]
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