Værnes kirke

Stjørdal, Norway, Norway

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Værnes kirke in Stjørdal, Norway, is one of the country's oldest stone churches, constructed in Romanesque style in five phases from around 1130 to 1190, possibly replacing an earlier wooden structure.

 Its standout feature is Norway's oldest preserved wooden roof from 1143 over the chancel, with nave roofing added in 1149 and 1161, spanning over 11 meters and inspiring restorations at sites like Nidaros Cathedral.

The white stone long church, with a 45-meter tower raised in the 13th century, seats about 370, features medieval carvings of gods and devils on walls, round-arched windows, and later Gothic elements like cloverleaf windows. 

A sacristy was added in 1506-1507, and while roofs have been recovered multiple times, original timber trusses remain, making it a key cultural treasure near Trondheim Airport.