The Norse pagan religion, also known as Norse mythology, was practiced by the ancient Norse people who lived in what is now modern-day Scandinavia. This ancient religion was characterized by a belief in gods and goddesses, sacred rituals, and the worship of nature. One of the central features of Norse paganism was the presence of temples, which were dedicated to the gods and served as places for worship and religious ceremonies. These temples were considered sacred spaces and were often located in areas of natural beauty, such as mountains, forests, or by bodies of water. While many of these ancient temples have been lost to time, some archaeological evidence and historical records provide insight into their existence. One of the closest Norse pagan temples is believed to be the Temple at Uppsala in Sweden.
We know that Viking culture had sacred spaces to worship their gods because they are mentioned in the surviving sagas and sources. But very little specific detail survives.
One of the important elements is that it is a delineated and protected space, like Asgard and Midgard, rather than a chaotic space, like Jotunheim and Vanaheim. One such stave church, from Heddal in Norway, seems to be specifically linked with the old religion through its foundation story, which closely matches the story of the building of the walls of Asgard.
One of the closest Norse pagan temples is believed to be the Temple at Uppsala in Sweden. This temple, dedicated to the major Norse gods Odin, Thor, and Freyr, was a significant religious center during the Viking Age. Another notable temple is the Temple at Gamla Uppsala, also in Sweden.
1,200-year-old pagan temple to Thor and Odin unearthed in Norway
The god house (shown here in a digital reconstruction) was strongly built of beams and walls of wood; some lasted for hundreds of years. It included a central tower, patterned on Christian churches seen in lands further south. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The remains of a 1,200-year-old pagan temple to the Old Norse gods such as Thor and Odin have been discovered in Norway — a rare relic of the Viking religion built a few centuries before Christianity became dominant there.
Archaeologists say the large wooden building — about 45 feet (14 meters) long, 26 feet (8 m) wide, and up to 40 feet (12 m) high — is thought to date from the end of the eighth century and was used for worship and sacrifices to gods during the midsummer and midwinter solstices.
Old Norse culture was famous and feared by some a century later, after bands of Norse sailors and warriors known as the Vikings started trading, raiding and colonizing throughout Europe and into Iceland, Greenland and Canada.
This is the first Old Norse temple found in the country, said archaeologist Søren Diinhoff of the University Museum of Bergen.
"This is the first time we've found one of these very special, very beautiful buildings," Diinhoff told Live Science. "We know them from Sweden and we know them from Denmark. … This shows that they also existed in Norway."
The Norse began building these large "god houses," as they're called, in the sixth century. The god houses were much more complex than the simple sites, often outdoors, that the people previously used to worship the Old Norse gods.
"It is a stronger expression of belief than all the small cult places," he said. "This is probably something to do with a certain class of the society, who built these as a real ideological show."
Image 1 of 6The god house was the religious link between local people and the Old Norse gods. The gods were said to live in the realm of Asgard, which was connected to the earthly realm Midgard by a "rainbow bridge" called Bifröst. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The remains of the ancient god house were found at Ose, a seaside village near the town of Ørsta in western Norway, on land earmarked for a housing development. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
Excavations at the site revealed the remains of two longhouses – probably family farms – from more than 2000 years ago, before the god house was built at the end of the eighth century A.D. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The Old Norse "god house" was built from wood about 1200 years ago to worship gods like Odin, Thor, and Freyr. Post-holes that show its distinctive shape, including its central tower, have been unearthed at the site. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The interior of the god house (shown here in a digital reconstruction) at Ose may have been lit by hearths for sacrificial fires and had wooden statues of the Old Norse gods, such as the war god Odin, the storm god Thor, and the fertility god Freyr. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The site is beside the coast among mountains and inlets, about 150 miles south-west of the modern city of Trondheim. Boathouses would have been built along the shore in ancient times. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
This temple was mentioned in historical texts and was likely a place of worship for the Norse gods. Excavations at this site have uncovered artifacts and remains that indicate religious activity and the existence of a large temple complex. In Norway, the Borgund Stave Church is a well-preserved example of a medieval Christian church that incorporates elements of Norse paganism. This church, built around the 12th century, features intricate carvings depicting mythical creatures from Norse mythology, reflecting the blending of Christian and pagan beliefs during that time. In Iceland, the Þingvellir National Park is considered a sacred site where the Alþingi, an ancient Norse parliament, met annually. This gathering served not only as a political assembly but also as a place for religious ceremonies and rituals. Þingvellir is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its cultural and historical significance. While these temples and sites provide glimpses into the practice of Norse paganism, much of the religion and its temples have been lost to time. However, the enduring impact of Norse mythology can still be felt in the modern world through literature, art, and popular culture, ensuring its legacy lives on..
Reviews for "Capturing the Essence of Norse Mythology: Exploring the Closest Norse Pagan Temples"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to visiting the closest Norse pagan temples, but I was left disappointed. First of all, the temples were not well-maintained and felt neglected. The atmosphere was completely off, and there was no sense of spirituality or connection to ancient Norse traditions. Additionally, the information provided at the temples was limited and not very educational. Overall, it was a lackluster experience and I would not recommend it to others.
2. Emily - 1 star - My visit to the closest Norse pagan temples was a complete waste of time. Not only were the temples difficult to find, but they were also extremely small and underwhelming. It felt like a makeshift tourist attraction rather than a site of historical and religious significance. There were no guides or staff available to provide any insights or answer questions. I left feeling frustrated and unimpressed. Save your time and skip these temples.
3. Tom - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the closest Norse pagan temples, but unfortunately, they fell short of my expectations. The temples were poorly maintained, with broken structures and graffiti. It was evident that they were not being properly taken care of. The lack of informational plaques or guides also made it difficult to fully appreciate the historical and cultural significance of the temples. If you're interested in Norse paganism, I would recommend looking for other places to visit that are better preserved and provide more educational experiences.