Ringebu Stave Church lies a few kilometres to the north of Lillehammer. The church at Ringebu was built around 1220 and is the largest of the surviving stave churches, elaborate medieval structures made almost entirely of wood. The church was first painted during the eighteenth century. At one time the interior was entirely white, but it was restored to its original condition during a restoration in the nineteen twenties. Carved dragons on the roof are thought to have been placed there to ward away evil spirits.
