Lofoten, Norway: #5 - Churches Part 1

[Mike Buckley]

Lofoten is a rural area, so it's no surprise that the churches are relatively small. My guess is that the two largest cities have larger churches but we didn't see them. All of the churches shown here are made of wood.

Lofoten Cathedral
The formal name is Vågan Church, as it located in the municipality of the same name. Its village is Kabelvag. Seating about 1200 parishioners, it is the largest wooden church in Northern Norway. There has been a church on the site since the 12th century. This particular church was built in 1888. The mustard color is similar to the color used in many Lofoten buildings (explained later in a separate thread). The first photo was captured by my wife and post-processed by me.







Valberg Church
My sister-in-law's name is Valerie but we often call her Val. It is amusing to know that there are a village, Valberg, and church apparently named after her. Considering that the church was built in 1889, perhaps not.




Flakstad Church
The first church was built in 1430 and destroyed by a storm in the 1700s. The present church, actually the size of a chapel, was built in 1780 and that date is noted at the top of the steeple. If you're wondering if the small onion dome has anything to do with Russia, you're right; the wood and one of the chandeliers was brought from there. The reddish color of the exterior is the most common color of buildings in a classic style in Lofoten (more about that in a later thread). Services are conducted here every other Sunday.







Reine Church
Reine is one of the most picturesque villages in Lofoten and this is its church.

[Donald]

They are all, of course, up to the standard that we'd expect from you and Mrs B, but, for me, this one is a stand-out stunner. And indeed a true joint effort. The quality of the composition is matched by the quality of the processing.

The last one in the series made me think about Ansel Adams' Silverton.

[ied]

Beautiful captures Mike. my pic would be # 2 for the composition & colour and # 3 brings back memories of my childhood. We attended one almost identical- but it had a large brass bell in the steeple.

Irene

[bnnrcn]

They are great Mike , please pass my congratulations to your wife also. I especially like #1 and #2

[Brownbear]

Beautifully photographed as always. I'm torn between the 1st and the 2nd being my favourites. #2 is so gorgeous with the beautiful flowers in the foreground and magnificent colours. I was about to say that #1 is my favourite (almost chose the b&w) but it is #2 for the overall beauty of the scene enhanced by the blue sky. Exquisite!

No haze on the mountains! On my list to visit!

[Wavelength]

Awesome set

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, everyone! I'll be sure to pass your compliments on to my wife. Ironically, she hasn't seen her photo yet.

Irene: Some of the church towers had bells in them that were not openly exposed to be seen. Considering the two openings on each side of the tower of the first church, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it also has a bell or two.

Christina: With the exception of our very last day, there was always at least a moderate amount of haze and often considerable haze on the mountains. Almost all of the photos of mountains that I'm displaying in these and future threads about Lofoten have been treated during post-processing to minimize or eliminate it. The distant mountains in the last photo in this thread had considerable haze.

[Shadowman]

Nice conversions and originals.

[Brownbear]

Christina: With the exception of our very last day, there was always at least a moderate amount of haze and often considerable haze on the mountains. Almost all of the photos of mountains that I'm displaying in these and future threads about Lofoten have been treated during post-processing to minimize or eliminate it. The distant mountains in the last photo in this thread had considerable haze.

Thanks for sharing. I'm surprised to hear that a place so pristine and far north has haze. You did an incredible job removing any haze, so I will have to learn to do this just as well.