A Norse pagan temple is a sacred place dedicated to the worship of the ancient Norse gods and goddesses. These temples played a crucial role in the religious and social life of the Norse people during the Viking Age. The design and layout of a Norse pagan temple varied depending on the region and time period. However, most temples were simple in structure, usually consisting of a large hall or longhouse called a hof. The hof would often have a central nave with wooden columns supporting the roof. Inside the temple, there would typically be an altar, where offerings and sacrifices were made to the gods.
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)
Inside the temple, there would typically be an altar, where offerings and sacrifices were made to the gods. Statues or idols of the gods would also be present, providing a focal point for worship. The interior of the temple would be adorned with various symbols and decorations, such as carvings depicting mythical creatures or scenes from Norse mythology.
God house
Archaeologists unearthed the foundations of the ancient building last month at Ose, a seaside village near the town of Ørsta in western Norway, ahead of preparations for a new housing development.
Their excavations revealed traces of early agricultural settlements dating to between 2,000 and 2,500 years ago, including the remains of two longhouses that would have each been the center of a small farm for a family and their animals, Diinhoff said.
The remains of the god house at Ose, however, are from a later time when the area began to be dominated by an elite group of wealthy families — a distinction that arose as Scandinavian societies began to interact with the more stratified societies of the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes of northern Europe.
"When the new socially differentiated society set in, in the Roman Iron Age, the leading families took control of the cult," he said.
Norse religious worship became more ideological and organized, and god houses at Ose were patterned on Christian basilicas that travelers had seen in southern lands, he said.
As a result, Old Norse temples featured a distinctive high tower above the pitched roof, which was a copy of the towers of early Christian churches, he said.
Although the wooden building is now long-gone, the post-holes that remain show its shape, including the round central posts of its tower — a very distinctive construction that was only ever used in god houses, Diinhoff said. "It would have been very impressive."
The rituals and ceremonies conducted in a Norse pagan temple were performed by the temple priests, known as goðar, and attended by the local community. These rituals included prayers, chants, and offerings to the gods. Thor, Odin, and Freyja were among the most venerated deities in Norse paganism and were often the focus of worship in these temples. Besides religious activities, Norse pagan temples also served as community centers where various social gatherings, meetings, and feasts took place. They were important hubs for cultural exchange, as people from different regions would gather there to participate in festivities and exchange news and stories. With the spread of Christianity in Scandinavia during the late Viking Age, Norse pagan temples gradually fell out of use and were eventually replaced by Christian churches. Many of these temples were deliberately destroyed or repurposed by Christian authorities, erasing much of the physical evidence of Norse paganism. Today, only a few reconstructed or partially preserved Norse pagan temples remain, providing valuable insights into the religious practices and beliefs of the Norse people. These temples serve as reminders of a rich and complex cultural heritage that continues to captivate the imagination..
Reviews for "The Influence of Norse Pagan Temples on Modern Paganism"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was really excited to visit the Norse pagan temple, as I have always been intrigued by the history and mythology associated with it. However, I was sorely disappointed with my experience. The temple was poorly maintained and looked like it hadn't been cleaned in ages. The staff seemed disinterested and unfriendly, providing no information or guidance about the exhibits. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity to learn more about Norse culture and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Norse pagan temple, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The exhibits were lacking in depth and detail, leaving me with more questions than answers. The audio guide was difficult to understand and the signage was poorly placed and confusing. Additionally, the entrance fee was quite steep for what was offered. I left the temple feeling underwhelmed and wishing I had spent my time and money elsewhere.
3. Alex - 1 star - The Norse pagan temple was a complete letdown. The lack of organization and coherence in the layout of the exhibits made it difficult to follow the historical narrative. The lighting was dim, making it hard to see the artifacts properly. Moreover, there was a distinct lack of interactive elements or engaging displays that could have brought the temple to life. Overall, it felt like a disorganized collection of random artifacts without any clear direction. I would not recommend visiting the Norse pagan temple unless major improvements are made.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I was genuinely excited to explore the Norse pagan temple, but unfortunately, my experience fell flat. The temple lacked clear explanations and context for the artifacts on display, making it challenging to fully appreciate their significance. The overall atmosphere of the temple was somber and lacked the vibrant energy I had expected. The limited number of exhibits left me wanting more, and I found the ticket price to be quite high for what was offered. This temple has potential, but it needs significant improvements to provide a more immersive and informative experience for visitors.
5. Michael - 1 star - The Norse pagan temple was a disappointment, to say the least. The staff appeared disinterested and unwilling to engage with visitors. The lack of information about the exhibits and history of Norse paganism left me feeling uninformed and unsatisfied. Additionally, the temple's facilities were poorly maintained and outdated. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this underwhelming experience.