"Frost Church" carries an incredible love story

21 Jan.

- The kids come here with big eyes.

If you've seen the Disney movie Frozen, you've already been to this beautiful church. It is located in Balestrand in western Norway. The church is almost identical to the church where Disney princess Elsa is crowned queen.

But the church is not only beautiful, it also carries an incredible love story.

Built the church for his late wife

The church was built at the request of Knut Kvikne, an active and quiet man who ran the Kviknes Hotel with his brother. He found his true love in the English mountaineer Margaret Sophia. The priest's daughter came to visit Balestrand in 1888, and was taken by the handsome hotel owner as he went around showing the mountains to tourists.

The two married, but did not spend more than four years together before Margaret died of tuberculosis in 1894. Out of pure love, and as a promise before he lost his wife, Knut built a church in Balestrand: St. Olaf Church.

An English church in honor of its English love. With tower, spire, slate roof and oval windows with the most beautiful stained glass windows.

*St. Olaf Church in Balestrand is almost identical to the Disney church inside. Elsa in the Disney movie "Frozen" is crowned queen in this church.*

Inspiration for Disney movie

The over 100-year-old, brown-painted church is just as beautiful today. It is idyllically situated between majestic mountains and the magical Sognefjord, just beyond Kviknes Hotel. Such a charming little church that even the Disney team has been impressed.

When they were looking for inspiration for the Oscar-winning film Frozen, they went on a vision quest in Balestrand for several days.

- They saw the church and got excited. In addition, they have used the dragon-style pattern we have on the houses and buildings around us to decorate the clothes in the movie. We think that's great," says Kari Kvikne, great-grandchild of Knut's brother.

Good for Norway

As the fourth generation of Kvikne, Kari is proud of the family history. The 48-year-old thinks it's fantastic that adults and children all over the world get to see and learn about the local church. That they gain insight into the Norwegian cultural heritage.

- Now an entire generation knows what Norway is all about. Young people all over the world get a better understanding of another world with snow and cold.

- The kids who have been here are left wide-eyed. Adults who have seen the movie find it amusing that the church is so similar. Those who haven't seen the movie say they're going home to see it," says Kari.

Would you like to visit St. Olaf Church in Balestrand? Feel free to contact us.