A record number of people have applied for funding to maintain and restore medieval buildings, and now they are receiving grants from the National Heritage Board.
– Norway has a unique collection of timber buildings from the Middle Ages. But climate change is making it increasingly challenging to preserve these buildings. That’s why I’m pleased that so many people want to restore their medieval houses so that future generations can also experience this important part of Norwegian cultural heritage,” says Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Minister of Climate and Environment.
Most medieval buildings in Norway are located in Agder, Buskerud, Innlandet, Møre og Romsdal, Rogaland, Vestfold and Vestland. A wetter and warmer climate creates problems for old wooden buildings through both extreme weather and increased moisture and rot.
– The oldest wooden houses have survived rain, wind and storms for centuries. Together with the stone churches and stave churches, they are the best buildings remaining from the Middle Ages today: They are the buildings’ answer to “survival of the fittest”, but we must equip them for the future climate with more rain and extreme weather,” says Hanna Geiran.
Craft traditions preserve medieval heritage
Owners of medieval buildings can apply to the Directorate for Cultural Heritage for funding to maintain and repair their buildings. A record number of people have applied to the National Heritage Board for grants.
This year, the Directorate for Cultural Heritage is awarding NOK 11.7 million. This is almost double that of the previous year. NOK 700,000 has been pledged for 2026, as support for multi-year projects.
– Increasing the skills and capacity of new craftsmen to use old methods and materials is an important focus area for us. More people must be able and willing to work with our oldest buildings,” says Geiran.
The money goes via the county councils, which distribute the money to the individual applicant. Applicants can apply for funding to restore medieval buildings, measures that strengthen craft traditions and knowledge development such as dating timber with dendrochronology.
– “Most applicants apply for money to restore attics and storehouses, but some also apply for money to restore houses that are still in use as homes today. “Active use is the best form of protection, and the owners’ commitment to preserving the houses bodes well for the medieval houses being with us for hundreds of years to come,” says Geiran.
Table for grants for the Middle Ages
| County municipality | Application amount | Grant amount |
| Agder | kr 3 360 375 | kr 1,970,000 |
| Buskerud county | kr 671 250 | kr 670 000 |
| Inland Norway | kr 1 428 000 | NOK 1,204,000 |
| Møre and Romsdal county | NOK 250,000 | NOK 200,000 |
| Rogaland | kr 315 000 | kr 220 000 |
| Telemark | kr 4 471 936 | kr 4,170,000 |
| Vestfold | kr 66 384 | NOK 66,000 |
| Western Norway | kr 3 438 000 | kr 3,200,000 |
| Total amount | kr 14 000 953 | kr 11 700 000 |
