Røros' Lutheran church is one of Norway's most distinctive, not to mention one of the largest, with a seating capacity of 1640. The first church on the site was constructed in 1650, but it had fallen into disrepair by the mid-18th century and from 1780 a new baroque-style church (the one you see today) was built just behind the original at a cost of 23,000 riksdaler (at the time, miners earned about 50 riksdaler per year).
The posh King's Gallery at the back, identified by both royal and mining company logos, has never hosted a king; visiting royals have always opted to sit among the people. Unusually, the pulpit sits over the altarpiece, while the organ (1742) is the oldest Norwegian-built organ still functioning.
Until 1865 the building was owned by the mining company and this is reflected in the church art. By the altar you'll see the grizzled Hans Olsen Åsen among other company dignitaries. There are also paintings of the author Johan Falkberget and the original 1650 church.
For five weeks from early July to early August, the church hosts organ recitals , sometimes accompanied by orchestral musicians from across Europe.
