Slidredomen

Slidredomen is the old principal parish church in Valdres, dating back to the 1100s.



In medieval times, this was where you would find the Dean, the most important local representative for the bishop in Stavanger.



The church was mentioned in writing for the first time in a letter from the pope in 1264, and it was then referred to as "ecclesie Sancte Marie De Slidrum". It also features the inscription "Maria" in runic letters.



The south-facing main entrance is equipped with medieval fittings in wrought iron and measuring stick. A cross has been engraved into the stone frame, and the door opening features a labyrinth.



Traces of five consecration crosses can be found in the church, and the northern wall of the nave has a painted coat-of-arms from around 1330-1350. Today this is the muncipality coat of arms for Vestre-Slidre.



On the eastern wall of the choir is an impressive lime painting from the 1400s. It shows the apostles, an illustration of the ascension and, at the very top, a blessing of coronation amid angels with musical instruments. The choir`s roof painting dates back to around 1250, and shows Christ surrounded by the evangelist symbols.



Slidredomen has a unique altar chalice which is still in use, and which was probably made during the period 1325-1350. Salomon, the bishop of Oslo from 1322-1351, was the vicar of Slidre in 1298. He donated the chalice to his old church as a thank you for surviving the Black Death in 1350. The altarpiece, pulpit and choir partition were painted in 1797 and 1798.



In the olden days, Slidredomen had "12 bells ringing in perfect harmony". Today the church has 4 bells in the turret and two bells in the belfry. The belfry is dated 1679 and 1798.