Centred around the village of Vang i Valdres, Vang is a sprawling municipality in the Norwegian county of Innlandet. It lies on the route that links Oslo with Bergen and overlooks the southern shores of Vangsmjøse. Vang was once the site of a thing (assembly) held by King Haakon VI, with the stone from this 14th-century boundary dispute still standing today.
Things to do in Vang
One of Vang’s most striking architectural landmarks is St. Thomas Church, a pyramidal-shaped house of worship. It was constructed from concrete and wood in 1971, based on the designs of Claus Lindstrøm. It is located near the site of a 12th-century wooden stave church that was demolished in the early 19th century.
Opposite the church stands the Vang Stone, an early 11th-century runestone that rises just over two metres in height. It is beautifully decorated with Ringerike-style carvings depicting flora and fauna. Take note of the runic text inscription along the edge of the stone, which explains the stone’s raising in memory of Gunnar.
Vang lies on the southern shores of Vangsmjøse, a magnificent lake surrounded by high mountains and fringed by the scenic European Route E16. It’s a popular local fishing spot, with boat and shore-based anglers coming here to lure trout. At the western end of Vangsmjøse is the Øye Stave Church, which was built in 1965 using salvaged wood from the 12th-century church that once stood here.
Getting around Vang
Vang is around 3.5 hours’ drive from Oslo and Oslo Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Vang and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.