The work is comprehensive and includes restoration of the roof and decayed building parts as well as tarring the whole church. The church and the surrounding area is closed, and reopens June 1.
The first stage of the project, drainage excavation, started November 2011. Scaffolding was erected in January 2012. Craftsmen will replace around 14,000 shingles.
The scaffolding will be removed in May and the church reopens June 1. The project will be completed during 2013.The work is part of a national restoration program of stave churches developed by the Directorate of Cultural Heritage.
In all, 28 stave churches are preserved in Norway. Gol Stave Church was moved to Bygdø Royal Manor in 1884. It was reconstructed as a medieval church modelled after Borgund Stave Church. The oldest parts of the church date from around 1200. Since 1907, Gol Stave Church has been part of Norsk Folkemuseum.
