HEDDAL STAVE CHURCH Heddal Stave Church is the largest of Norway´s surviving stave churches and boasts the most impressive and distinctive exterior. The existing chancel is the oldest part probably dating from 1147, while the rest was built in 1242. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is constructed in the form of a stave basilica with 12 large and 6 smaller support posts. There is a continuous gallery around the whole of the church. An extensive restoration and refurbishment programme was completed in 1952. The church has 4 upright carved enlrance portals and the interior is decorated with extremely old murals and traditional arose,, painting irom lhe 17th century. Many of lhc conlents of the church found their way into museums in Oslo, hut a distinctive old chair, now known as the «bishop´s chair» stands in the chancel. It is said that it may even predate the Christian era. Heddal Stave Church is located in Notodden.