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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKMLMUcKhjD0aSJaJzqzNdaZh_sUVgI0QopETaKFe_N0PksEfnIILUFQh3Tubk9YEW6O-4vzaYJW0hSM2PlAHEDv5t9XoMyszGapmk-fI7zuuVIBBFrqvt_YRqJcJW1Ngxq4nDcjWnFe3/s320/DSCF1824.JPG) |
Old part of church |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRGPwtlFbTRwI8szgxx8wX0jHPawP49pxbN6cvhA-e7NXSZO1DnfFlpLo-cGOby66xw9r3c4e3bGrzqUHMZvLwpfY6iT0MbWMkH3jWxOFOWFj469iItnYF641tpsQl6Ik87mKWd33mpom/s320/DSCF1825.JPG) |
On the left is old part and on the right new one, built after fire in 1711 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz9qS4rRfHS7QDbl0KL1KovqAGzbur_BqCv831Lv32vVeTkZHJQbVZRmSp-d7poRCNu3ohv8LvACoLOdA5l9XrZkkK_El8SX842rM-JkxM1Qbj-wn3WmEt2jasSzogms909PWrYIjaKz6/s320/DSCF1836.JPG) |
Golden plate originally from Russia |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VcvZhLaexLDn57w3nfl00eh4jd-1yosPhb0hyuSiz8p0vQOD7m1jAOo4yCnhqUTWUtv0NOQeu4KKT1gWUWG7jq4zimzFEGJcwDuo7Qgv6zKd-f7ejYShjF681pIDl3lAaFAAcuvXOo8P/s320/DSCF1837.JPG) |
Altar |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj85SPVD7BQeZlqBsEYT30vRk_rUdh6F7qRqCLLPqX87GAln5uxwPnrcHsa-H7yV7lH8wDxNlPbvDIXEPNns5b7LcJyePJeCS91ygpCgejz9L4dx6_hVR11ADUY6Gf9DZ3jequelFm4xk/s320/DSCF1835.JPG) |
On the left new wedding chairs, on the right old one - left is lower for bride and second one, higher for groom |
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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.