Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/117

Rh Bk. V. Ch. I. NORWAY. 101 tliese. It was commenced ai^parently about the year 1080, and considerably advanced in 1150, and the erection of the apse must be placed between these two dates. It is the only unaltered part of the church, and is a very beautiful specimen of the German style of that date. The little gables over the apsidal gallery seem part of the original design, and are the only examples of the class we possess. With these the whole makes up a very pleasing compo- sition. There are other churches in Sweden, at Westeroas, Stregnas and Abo, all large — viz., about 300 ft. east and west by 100 to 120 in „-idth, — and founded in the 12t]i and 13th centuries; but, like the nave at Lund, they have been altered and improved so frequently during the last 600 years, that very little remains of the original design : whatever that may have been, in their present state they are hardly worthy of mention. Perhaps the most pleasing objects in Sweden are the country churches, with their tall Mooden spires and detached belfries. If these do not possess much architectural beauty, they, at all events, are real purpose-like erections, expressing what they are intended for in the simplest manner, and witii their accompaniments always making up a pleasing group. 'C-i^a/rp^t -- -^^^ 543. Old Country Church and Belfry. (From Marryat, " One Year in Sweden.") NOKWAY. The Norwegians are more fortunate th.an either the Danes or Swedes in possessing at Trondhjem a national cathedral of great beauty and interest, even in its ]iresent ruined state.