6. Petter Dass museum

 Petter Dass (*1647 - †1707) was big personality in northern Norway. He was priest (and quite enlightened person in that time) and most famous like a poet. He created songs from catechism, so it was easier for people to learn them.

Museum of Petter Dass is directly opposite to the Alstahaug church where he served as a priest. Building of museum was opened in 2007 and it is really interesting piece of art.

 

interior of museum (1st floor)

 The building is set into a rock and it perfectly coinciding with the surroundings. Interior made an impression on me, too. Actually I felt same like in Knut Hamsun center. Lines are narrow but
unsynchronized. Variability of space is playful, colours are more natural. When you are inside, you are enjoying observing. Information are provided in norwegian but also in english. I find this museum like really interesting and nice one. Furthermore there is library in second floor and projection room on the ground floor - also cafe. I think this place calls you to be creative and enjoy your time here. So it is really great for teachers and schools to connect this place with "learning by doing".

Petter Dass museum

Alstahaug church

5. Gildeskål kirke

Gildeskål kirke was built around year 1130. But people think that altar is much more older, it was on the same place from earlier times, probably in older, wood church.
 The church is L-shaped, second part of church is newer, built after fire in 1711. Interior is from 1760 and main artwork are from years 1711 and 1754 made by German artist Gottfried Ezechiel. Interesting are preserved galleries and boxes which were private for rich people to be separated from the poor people. Tour guide told us, that during 18. century when many churches were reconstructed people saw this boxes old-fashioned, so they burnt them. That is why it is rare to see it nowadays despite it was quite common in past times. If you were Sami people or not from local community, you had uncomfortable seats in the back of the church. And there were no seats for really poor people (in norwegian legt), who did not own a land or house, they were working on another farm just for accommodation and food.
In back of new part is also "baptise box". Interesting are new and old wedding chairs. The old one - for woman was chair lower, which symbolizes that woman was subordinate to men. Nowadays chairs are same size and in the same level (interesting symbol of equality of rights). Also there is old golden plate which originally comes from Russia, because in past times russian ships came to Norway because of trade.

Old part of church

On the left is old part and on the right new one, built after fire in 1711

Golden plate originally from Russia

Altar

On the left new wedding chairs, on the right old one - left is lower for bride and second one, higher for groom

 Finally I want to mention the most interesting facts (in my opinion most interesting one :) ).
First one is that in each church we visited here in Norway you can find a ship that is heading east. That shows how is this country connected with sea - sea gives food and in the same time it is a way for trade, travelling.
Secondly I find interesting information, that this church and Bodin church are unusually more far away from the sea. This fact is actually connected with Vikings and their sacred places. I find really interesting, that people in old times used to live with Viking's slowly took over their holy places. Actually altar from this church is supposed to be on place, which had sacred importance for Vikings.