The church has not been in ordinary use since 1881, when the parish of Urnes was abolished, and it became a part of Solvorn parish in the Sogn prosti (deanery) of the Diocese of Bjørgvin. It is now only used for special occasions in the parish such as baptisms and weddings. Interventions to the church building for religious and practical needs have been carried over the centuries. These interventions are still clearly visible; they have provided authentic testimony to social life and religious practices in Norway. Now, Urnes Stave Church is one of the most popular tourist sites in Norway. Media gallery Building Carvings Interior Literature References This article is based on a translation of the corresponding article from the Norwegian Wikipedia, retrieved on 14 April 2005 and updated on 15 October 2005. External links Urnes stave church in Stavkirke.info (in Norwegian) Urnes stave church in Fortidsminneforeningen (in Norwegian) Fortidsminneforeningens stave church pages (in Norwegian) (there are also English and German pages) Description and pictures of Urnes stave church (in Dutch) Luster, Norway Churches in Vestland Wooden churches in Norway Stave churches in Norway World Heritage Sites in Norway 12th-century churches in Norway Churches completed in 1130 Buildings and structures owned by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments