Stavanger Cathedral

Stavanger Cathedral is the only Norwegian cathedral from the Middle Ages that has kept its original appearance and been in continuous use. According to tradition the cathedral was built in the year 1125, after Sigurd Jorsalfarer named Stavanger a cathedral city. Bishop Reinald of Winchester was responsible for its construction. The church was built in Anglo-Norman style, probably by English craftsmen. The church patron saint is St. Svithun, and it is reputed that his arm was one of the original relics of the church. In 1272 the cathedral was damaged by fire, after which it received a new chancel built in the Gothic style. The pulpit is made by Andrew Smith in the 1650s and the stained glass by Victor Sparre i 1957. New art in the cathedral Stavanger Cathedral hashung some new temporary art in the large eastern windows. The new art replaces the original stained glas made by Victor Sparre currently being restored in Trondheim. The new art is made by students at department for art, design and architecture at Bergeland Vidergående skole. The students have used the colours of the church year, violet, white, red and green, and each window has got its own colour. The design is lit with symbols from Christianity. The art is made from silk paper and it gives a nice light to the church. The students are proud of the work that will be temporarily decorating the cathedral.