The Sister Churches

About

The Sister Churches consist of St. Mary’s Church and St. Nicholas Church, standing on sacred ground with origins dating back to the 12th century. According to legend, the churches were built to accommodate two sisters who had a deep disapproval for each other, requiring separate places of worship. The larger of the two churches, St. Nicholas Church, was dedicated to the patron saint of travelers and seats 250 individuals. St. Mary’s Church is the smaller of the two and was constructed before 1150, featuring a combination of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. Outside St. Nicholas Church, observe an ancient rune stone erected around 1850, and visit the memorial of renowned author Aasmund Olavsson Vinje where he has rested since 1873. The iconic steeples of the churches have inspired the design of the Gran municipal coat-of-arms and is a fascinating place of rich cultural and spiritual heritage.