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Borgund Stave Church, Laerdal, was built around 1180. It is one of a number of stave churches in the Sogneford Region. These churches, of which some twenty-eight examples still exist, take their names from the distinctive building technique using vertical staves. Five of the oldest, all from the twelfth century, are in the Sognefjord region. Parts of Hopperstad Stave Church, Vik, (c. 1150-1200 AD) probably date back to 1050. The church is a triple nave basilica type and probably one of the oldest existing Stave Churches in the world. It was probably influenced by Borgund church. Its western porch is among the supreme examples of Medieval wooden carvings in Norway. Kaupanger Stave Church, Sogndal, (c.1185 AD), probably replaced an earlier church which was burnt. It is a triple nave basilica and one of the largest Stave Churches remaining today with freestanding inner columns supporting the raised nave roof (restored 17th century). (Photographs: Christopher Wood)