Castello Mafredonico, Mussomeli (Mussumeli in Sicilian), Caltanissetta, Sicily, Italy.

www.castlesandmanorhouses.com

The Norwegian countryside is strewn with architecture that looks better suited to crown the pages of a fairytale book. More commonly known for its Vikings heritage and fjords, these photographs display a wide variety of architectural styles that have been used throughout the Middle Ages to the 19th century in Norway. Check out the stunning collection below.

Crooked and towering wooden churches beckoning like an old crone’s fingers, winding stone path weaving through a forest, hidden waterfalls and lonely wooden cabins overlooking a vast valley at its base are some of the outlandish homes and architectural designs we have featured in this series. Teetering Stave churches, eerie waterfalls cascading down like a creature with its own mind, wooden homes made in the typical Norwegian indigenous style called byggeskikk have none of the linearity or conformity that modern buildings do, and have whimsical elements that heighten its sense of magic.  

Each of these structures below have a particular way of being set into its own environment, standing out from the elements without obstructing nature. Most of the buildings and bridges and pathways have been built with stone and wood balance the scene it has been engineered upon.

Barn In Valldal

Renndølsetra

Ancient Road Vindhellavegen

Bridge Over Låtefossen Waterfall

Kvednafossen Waterfall In Norway

Old Farmhouses

At The End Of The World, Tjome

Natural Swimming Pool In The Forest

Old House

House In Norway

Fjord Houses

Old Village

Fisherman Hut, Undredal

Bridge In Norway

Rogaland, Gullingen

Lake Bondhus

Small House In Norway

Fairy House In Hunderfossen, Lillehammer

Under The Aurora

Knights and fair maidens.

The first three are by Sir Frank Dicksee

“Perilous indeed… Fair and perilous; but only evil need fear it, or those who bring evil with them" ~Tolkien

Shield-maiden, princess and fair lady are often not that far removed in one so beautiful.

Italian Parade Sword

Dated: Late 15th century, the guard and pommel possibly refitted in the 18th-19th century

Measurements: Overall length 112cm

The broad blade of sharply tapering form consistent with Oakeshott Type XV is forged with a high median ridge and marked with a trefoil at either side. The forte is finely worked with figures on both sides, probably Biblical, and inlaid with gold. The stepped grip of horn is inlaid with mother of pearl panels, lightly-recurved guard and fig-shaped pommel of copper heavily gilt, superbly engraved overall in elaborate vine motifs.

A quite similar example was sold at Sotheby’s Hever Castle Sale in May, 1983, lot 121. Of a small but known type of Renaissance swords, four of which are documented, see volume I, p. 108 of the Hever Castle Arms & Armour Sale catalog. Deaccessioned from the John Woodman Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester, Ma. Acquired by the Higgins from the American Art Association Auction, New York, of October 10-15, 1932, from the Morosini Collection, lot 525.