Religious heritage of Bodø, European Capital of Culture for 2024
Bodø has evolved from a picturesque fishing village to a bustling cultural epicentre in the northeastern Norwegian county of Nordland. Visitors can marvel at its exceptional natural environment, delight in its gastronomy full of flavours from the sea and wander among its 21st-century architecture. Here is a list of the top churches to visit in Bodø, the only European Capital of Culture above the Arctic Circle.
Bodin Church is the oldest still-standing building in Bodø, dating from 1240. Despite its medieval origin, the church's continuous restoration and modification makes it difficult to distinguish which features date from which historical period. An extensive reconstruction project in 1894 gave the church a Swiss-style exterior appearance. Finally, an onion dome was added to the ridge during the 1960’s restoration. The church has preserved several treasures from the past: the stone altar from the 14th century, a collection of wooden sculptures from the 15th century and the Baroque altarpiece from 1670.
Bodø Cathedral was built between 1954 and 1956, according to the plans of architects Gudolf Blakstad and Herman Munthe-Kaas. This building replaced an earlier church that had been destroyed during the bombings of World War II. The largest and main place of worship in Bodø has a Basilica shape and is made of concrete. The main feature of the cathedral interior is its 12-metre-high stained-glass window, designed by Åge Storstein and constructed by Borgar Hauglid. The pipe organ, with 5,050 pipes, is one the largest pipe organs in Norway. Outside, visitors can admire its singular 36-metre tall bell tower which is detached from the Cathedral’s building. Since December 2012, Bodø Cathedral has had the world's northernmost carillon.
Situated in the northern part of the city, Rønvik church is a religious building completed in 1997. It was designed by architect Reidar Berg and built in orange brick. It has a rounded interior topped by a cruciform roof that opens up the circle in four directions and creates wonderful acoustics. In its bright and tranquil interior, visitors and worshipers are attracted to its glass altarpiece.
Hunstad Church is the newest church in Bodø, built in 2013 in the suburb of the same name. The church is made of concrete and was designed by Johnny Kristensen. The altarpiece made of blue tiles with gold imprints is one of the main features visitors will find in its modern interior. In 2018 the church installed its modern pipe organ, light in colours and design, and produced in collaboration with the Belgian company Manufacture d'orgue Thomas of Stavelot. This church is quite unique in Norway as it is one of the fewest churches integrated into a larger complex which also has a school, library, cafe and leisure centre.
Saltstraumen Church is located in the village of the same name, in the municipality of Bodø. The church dates from 1886 and was built by Eliseus Hansen. In 1903, due to the instability of the ground, the building was dismantled and moved 300 metres away from its original location. The church has preserved its two bells from 1885. Saltstraumen also has 4 stained glass windows by Nordic glass artist Borger Hauglid.
