Relocation of the Wang Temple to Karpacz

The Wang Temple, built in the 12th century (other sources say late 12th and early 13th), was auctioned off by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. Originally, the structure was to become one of the attractions of the Royal Museum in Berlin, where it was transported from Vang in southern Norway after being disassembled. The king abandoned his idea, but fortunately this historic church, made entirely of Norwegian pine wood and without the use of nails, was re-erected on the slope of Black Mountain in the Giant Mountains. The decision to move the temple to Karpacz was made by the monarch thanks to persuasion from Countess Frederica von Reden, a patron of the arts, who was buried after her death in nearby Bukowiec.

Difficulties of reconstruction and preservation of style

However, the repeated construction required the reconstruction of a great many elements, which either did not withstand the hardships of such a long journey, or, at least according to the architect in charge of the construction, were not brought at all in the cargoes transported from Norway. Despite the problems, it was possible to preserve the characteristic features of the architectural style in which the temple of Vang was built – on individual parts of the church you can see not only runic script signs, but also Viking faces and depictions of dragons known from Norse mythology. And all this in an unusual – both in summer and winter – setting, in one of the two such temples located outside Norway, in the heart of the Giant Mountains.

The possibility of visiting the Wang Temple depends on the liturgical calendar.

Actively

For your health

Heritage

Out in nature

Gallery