The wooden church known as the Tromsø Domkirke stands in the center of Tromsø, its architecture and colors fitting the landscape of this northern land. Henry and I were very curious about the history and the unusual architectural details on the building, so we made a point to visit the church right away.  The church was built in 1861 and is Norway’s only wooden cathedral. Built in the “New Gothic” style, it was designed by Christian H. Grosch, who designed many Norwegian churches. According to the church chronicles, when originally built, the nave of the church was overstuffed with pews, giving it a seating capacity of 900 people as there was little space between them. Later, some of the pews were removed and tables were placed in the back of the church as it lacked a Fellowship hall. The history of churches in Tromsø began with the first church built in 1230 AD. Another church was built in 1711, and was moved to make room for a new church in 1803. The Tromsø Domkirke stands approximately on the site of the church built in 1711, then later moved.

Note: Barely visible  in the bottom left photograph is a stained glass windows  on the left side behind the altar: a cross bearing a snake. This unusual symbolism was taken from the New Testament, John 3:14: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.” This connects the verse from the book of Numbers in the Old Testament: “when the Israelites had been bitten of poisonous snakes in the desert, Moses was told to hang a snake on a staff ... and, when a person had been bitten by a snake, they were to be healed by looking at the staff-raised snake.`’ In the Gospel according to John, the crucifixion of Jesus is interpreted as a rising up, a victory, and not as a defeat. Also noted, the image of Jesus  in the central stained glass window is as he had arisen from the dead, not as he was martyred on the cross.  These three windows were designed by Gustav Vigelland, installed in 1960.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. View of the church as approached from the harbor. 2. View of the side entrance to the church, with its unusual windows. 3. Architectural details on the windows of the cathedral. 4. Interior view of the church, its altar, stained glass windows, interior carving and pulpit. Center: The Neo-Gothic façade of the Tromsø Domkirke. Right Column: 1. Architectural detail: The “New Gothic” windows designed by Christian H. Grosch. 2. The Cross over the front door of Tromsø Domkirke. It appears that the subtle architectural symbolism aligns with the church’s philosophy of “lifting up” as observed on the façade of this building. Note the “arrows” (shutters concealing windows) on the steeple!

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