Gran, NO

St. Mary's Church

The sister churches on Gran were built in the 12th century and expanded in the 13th century. The two stone churches, St. Mary's Church (Mariakirken) and St. Nicholas' Church (Nikolaikirken), are built only 30 meters apart. The churches have been named "Sister Churches" after the legend of two sisters who, due to unfriendliness, had to have their own church. But it was actually not uncommon in the Middle Ages for churches with different functions to be built close together. After a lightning strike in 1813, St. Mary's Church remained a ruin until the 1860s when the church was restored with roofs and windows. In 1912-15 it was again restored to be used as a burial chapel. In 1990-92 it was restored for use as a parish church. The church is built of rough-hewn stone with a chancel that is almost as wide as the nave.

About this building

For more information visit on this building visit https://kirkesok.no/kirke/053400101

Key Features

  • Architecture
  • Monuments
  • Links to national heritage
  • Famous people or stories

Visitors information

  • Bus stop within 100m
  • Level access to the main areas
  • Car park at the building
  • Accessible toilets in the building

Other nearby buildings

Nikolaikirken

Nikolaikirken is the larger of the two medieval stone churches on Granavollen. The two churches go by the name "Sister Churches". The oldest of the sister churches, Mariakirken, was already completed when Nicolaikirken was built around 1150. The Romanesque church resembles the Old Cathedral in Hamar, the Old Aker Church in Oslo and the Ringsaker Church. The common model was St. Hallvard Cathedral.

Ål Church

Ål church, built in 1930, is a large and long church with a solid and high tower in the middle of the nave. The church was built according to the drawings of the architect Magnus Poulsson. It has windows on two floors. The interior has been well preserved and completed since the time of construction.

Tingelstad Church

St. Petri's Church or Old Church of Tingelstad is a medieval stone church probably dating from the first half of the 13th century. The church was probably built as a private church and is dedicated to St. Peter. The 17th-century furnishings are largely unchanged since 1699 and in good condition.

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